Leafs trade pair to Fernie as management prepares roster for KIJHL regular season opener Friday
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs continue arranging the deck chairs on the Good Ship Leaf as the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club prepares to open the regular season Friday at the NDCC Arena against defending champion, Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
Nelson, finishing the exhibition season with a 2-2-2 record against the Nitehawks, Castlegar Rebels and Grand Forks Border Bruins, moved two players from the roster Tuesday to Eddie Mountain power Fernie Ghostriders.
Leafs GM Lane Morey said the two players are defensemen — Jake Hryhoriw and Jordan Popoff. The Leafs received futures for Hryhoriw and cash for Popoff.
“We felt that with the players we have now on defense, and Dash Thompson returning from the BCHL, it was in both Jake and Jordan’s best interests to be moved to a team that both wanted and needed them so they could be every day players,” Morey explained.
“We wish both Jake and Jordan all the best moving forward,” he added.
Nelson opens the season Friday with the first of four games at the NDCC Arena.
After Beaver Valley, the Leafs play three consecutive games against the Eddie Mountain Division.
Saturday, Kimberley pays a visit to the Heritage City before Fernie and Columbia Valley Rockies travel to Nelson for games September 15 and 16, respectively.
