New Nanaimo Clippers coach and general manager Mike Vandekamp is starting to put his stamp on the team. The B.C. Hockey League club announced its first two player commitments of the off-season last week.
Forwards Jared Chinn and Shawn Holliday, both 18, have signed on for 2011-12.
Chinn, 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, played the past two seasons with the Carolina Junior Hurricanes in U18 AAA hockey. An alternate captain on the ’Canes, Chinn played 93 games, scoring 31 goals and amassing 82 points.
Chinn comes from a military family and lives in Fort Bragg, N.C.
“He is going to add speed, tenacity, and solid two-way play to our lineup,” said Vandekamp in a press release. “More importantly, Jared is a quality young man who is going to add character and commitment to the Clippers both on and off the ice.”
Meanwhile, Holliday will join the Shipmen after playing two years of junior B with the the North Okanagan Knights of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
The 6-foot-2, 210 pounder played in 89 games, scoring 23 goals, adding 54 assists and receiving 284 penalty minutes. Last season he was the youngest team captain in the league.
Vandekamp said Holliday will add much-needed size and physical presence to the lineup.
“He is a solid two-way player who has good offensive touch to go along with his large frame,” he said.