Just ahead of the B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) trade deadline, the Silverbacks shuffled their line up with two transactions.
On Feb. 7, the team acquired defenceman Max Ranström from the Prince George Spruce Kings in exchange for Aidan Souligny, and future considerations.
In his 23 games with the Spruce Kings this season, Ranström who hails from Filipstad, Sweden earned six goals and 13 assists for a total of 19 points. The Lake Superior State University commit spent last year playing in J20 Nationell in Sweden where he added 14 points in 36 games.
The departing Souligny, from Navan, Ont., provided two assists in his 25 games with the Silverbacks.
“Aidan is a good young play with a bright future in our league,” general manager Brooks Christensen said in a media release. “With our current injury situations, we felt is was needed to get some veteran experience. We felt this was in our best interest for our organization at this point.”
The team’s second trade came the day of deadline, with forward Nick Wellenreiter traded to the Sherwood Park Crusaders for future considerations.
Wellenreiter, who signed with the Silverbacks in the the off season, added 4-4 goals and assists for eight points in 25 games, and played with the Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA team with 92 points in 59 games before joining the BCHL.
“This move allows Nick to go to a great program with a new opportunity,” Christensen said in the release. “Nick has competed everyday with our organization, and his dedication has not gone unnoticed. We wish him all the best with Sherwood Park!”
With 58 points (25-12-0-2), the Silverbacks are currently third in the Interior division, and fourth overall in the BCHL after their Friday, Feb. 9 5-2 win over the Spruce Kings.