The Nanaimo Clippers pride themselves on keeping the puck out of their own net, and their newest acquisition will help them do just that. The city’s B.C. Hockey League club traded for goaltender Derek Dun last week, sending future considerations to the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Dun will be familiar to Clippers fans as he has a lot of experience playing at Frank Crane Arena in hard-fought Island rivalry games the past three seasons.
He won his debut in the orange, black and white, making 32 saves in a 6-4 victory over the Victoria Grizzlies down the Malahat a day after the Dec. 28 trade. It might be easier for a goalie to step right into the lineup after a trade than it would be for a skater, Dun said.
“As long as you’re stopping the puck it should be OK. But it’s different in the sense of knowing the systems and knowing your defencemen.”
The 19-year-old from Surrey hadn’t expected to be traded to Nanaimo, considering the Clippers already have two goalies, Jayson Argue and Jarrod Schamerhorn.
“It was surprising, but it’s really exciting because they’re hosting the Westerns and it’s a good opportunity to go far in the playoffs,” Dun said.
He said he was told it will be a battle every day for playing time.
“Anything can happen,” he said. “It’s going to be a competition with all three and it’s going to be day by day.”
GAME ON … The Clippers visit the Grizzlies on Friday (Jan. 4). The Clips host the Powell River Kings tonight (Jan. 5) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena and then host the Prince George Spruce Kings on Sunday at 3 p.m.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com