The Salmon Arm SilverBacks had a tough announcement to make earlier this week, as team captain Bennett Hambrook was traded to the Trail Smoke Eaters in exchange for future considerations.
Hambrook, a 20-year-old native of Kimberley, has been with the SilverBacks since the start of the 2011-2012 season when he endeared himself to teammates and fans with his headstrong leadership and fearless shot-blocking.
While Hambrook hasn’t recorded any goals or assists in the 20 games he’s played in this season, the 6-ft, 190-lb defender has been a key component to the success of many SilverBack penalty kills and was among the core leadership group assembled within a budding dressing room.
Hambrook has spent time with the Vernon Vipers, Prince George Spruce Kings and Trail Smoke Eaters prior to joining Salmon Arm and now he heads closer to his hometown of Kimberley to rejoin the Smokies after a brief two-game stint in 2009-2010.
SilverBack’s GM Troy Mick says it wasn’t an easy decision to make – arguably the toughest decision he has ever made.
“You won’t find anyone involved in this organization, at any capacity, who doesn’t have the utmost respect for Bennett. His attitude and demeanor are what great leaders are made of and while he’s been of invaluable service to our younger players, we feel we’re in position to become an even younger team and give Bennett a chance to excel closer to home and continue his NCAA dreams.”