Leafs add size to the blueline with addition of Patrick Coome
By The Nelson Daily Sports
He’s a player Leaf fans won’t miss on the ice.
Nelson Leafs coach Frank Maida added another piece to the 2013-14 roster by acquiring 6’4”, 200-pound defenceman Patrick Coome from the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
Coome, a late cut from Portage La Prairie of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, is expected to be in the lineup Friday when Nelson hosts Summerland Steam in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League interlocking action at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
“He’s big, and he brings our defence to six D,” Maida told The Nelson Daily.
Maida has totally revamped the Leafs from the team that was knocked out of the KIJHL playoffs in the first round for the third consecutive season.
And that team has been on fire to start the season, undefeated in September – five exhibition wins and two regular season victories.
“I’m very happy with the way we’ve started the season,” Maida explained. “But we’ve got a long way to go.”
Maida was pleased with opening weekend after registering wins over Murdoch Division rival Castlegar and outlasting Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
“I thought we played well early in both games, had a bit of a lapse in both games but were able to get is back,” he said.
ICE CHIPS: The Leafs have just one game this weekend against the Steam. . . . Don’t look know but if the season ended today, the Grand Forks Border Bruins would hold down top spot in the Murdoch Division after starting the season with three straight wins — two over Spokane and an overtime win against Castlegar. . . . Nelson hosts Grand Forks Saturday, September 28. . . . Nelson dealt the rights of Colton St. John to Creston for future considerations. . . . Former Nelson Leafs Linden Horswill has left the Trail Smokie Eaters of the BCHL.
