The Nanaimo Clippers added three players to bolster their forward lines for the new year.
The city’s B.C. Hockey League team acquired Justin Collins, Mitchell Patrick and Callas Pierce in moves announced last week.
Collins comes to the Clippers from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League, Patrick started his season with the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and Pierce was acquired for future considerations from the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters.
“With these additions this week, we finally have the depth up front that we have been lacking essentially all season due to injury and player departures,” said Colin Birkas, the Clippers’ coach and general manager, in a press release.
All three newcomers were in the lineup this past weekend as the Clippers defeated the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5-1 on the road Friday, Jan. 3, then lost to the Coquitlam Express by a 6-4 score the next night at Frank Crane Arena.
In the win, Connor DeTurris scored twice and Chazz Nixon stopped 30 of 31 shots for the win.
GAME ON … The Clippers host the Powell River Kings on Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m., then visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals the next night.