UPDATE: Leafs deal away pair to acquire rights to defenceman Darnell St. Pierre
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs continue to build a team worthy to host the 2014 Cyclone Taylor Cup.
Leaf skipper Frank Maida dealt away two more players from last season’s roster in a move to acquire the rights to defenceman Darnell St. Pierre.
The soon to be 19-year-old St. Pierre, who toiled last season for the Revelstoke Grizzlies before playing two playoff games with Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BC Hockey League, was acquired for defenceman Kyler Wilkinson and forward Damin Devlin.
St. Pierre, finishing the season with 25 points and 110 penalty minutes, brings a physical presence to a Leaf blueline that in the past lacked toughness.
Nelson also may have lost the services of local defenceman Cole Arcuri. The Nelson Daily has learned the 17-year-old rearguard is close to signing, or already has inked deal with Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL.
However, Arcuri was back on the Leaf roster for Tuesday’s exhibition tilt.
Earlier this summer Maida traded sent forwards Dallon Stoddart and James Sorrey along with D-man Seth Schmidt to Castlegar in exchange for sniper Jamie Vlanich and forward Travis Wellman.
Nelson opens the exhibition season Tuesday against Beaver Valley Nitehawks at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Leafs host Nitehawks Tuesday to open KIJHL exhibition season
Nelson Leafs jump right into the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League exhibition season after concluding a quick three-day camp Sunday at the NDCC Arena.
The Leafs welcomed approximately 40 players to the Heritage City to determine the host team for the 2014 Cyclone Taylor Cup.
Tuesday, Nelson plays host to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in pre-season action beginning at 7 p.m.
Nelson hosts Creston Friday at 7 p.m. before travelling to the Hawks Nest in Fruitvale Sunday for a return match against Beaver Valley.
The Leafs play a home-and-home series — Tuesday, September 10 in Castlegar and Wednesday, September 11 in Nelson — against the defending KIJHL champion Rebels.
Nelson opens the KIJHL regular season Friday, September 13 on Banner Raising night in the Sunflower City.
