Two rival teams in the B.C. Hockey League were able to work together on a recent six-player trade.
The Nanaimo Clippers and the Cowichan Valley Capitals pulled off the deal June 1. Nanaimo will get forwards Nicholas Wilson, Ethan Scardina and Jonathan Stein, while Cowichan will get defenceman David Melaragni and forwards Lucas Vanroboys and Preston Brodziak.
Darren Naylor, Clippers coach and general manager, said he was contacted a few weeks before the trade by Mike Vandekamp, the new coach and GM of the Caps. Vandekamp had a few guys in mind he was hoping to get from Nanaimo.
“It just so happens that he had a bunch of players that I’m familiar with and I’d wanted back,” Naylor said. “I think if you look at it on paper, it’s a trade that nobody comes out ahead on, it’s more or less just putting players where they wanted to be.”
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Vandekamp had a similar take on the trade.
“I think it was a trade of a whole bunch of players the coaches on both sides were familiar with,” Vandekamp said. “Probably what started the ball rolling was the familiarity of both coaches with the players involved.”
Wilson is the most experienced veteran in the trade, with more than 100 junior A games under his belt. He scored 10 goals with the caps last year.
“Fans here are going to love him,” Naylor said. “He’s just a high-energy guy. He just works his butt off.”
Scardina scored 14 goals last year and is described as a big centreman who can play in all situations.
Stein is fast and skilled and should especially be able to contribute on the power play.
Naylor added in a press release that the new additions “are 100 per cent committed to the program we’re building they’re all excited about representing Nanaimo and the Clippers.”
The BCHL hasn’t yet released its 2018-19 schedule, but regular season play will begin in early September.
-with files from Kevin Rothbauer/Black Press
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