The Nanaimo Clippers made three trade-deadline deals that have changed the face of the team.
That’s because the Clippers’ most familiar face, Colton Cyr, was traded away Tuesday in one of two major deals.
The 20-year-old veteran and former team captain was sent to the Vernon Vipers in a three-team trade also involving the Trail Smoke Eaters. In return, the Clips get another 20-year-old forward, Clayton Chessa.
Nanaimo also acquired two players from the Powell River Kings, forward Brenden Forbes and defenceman Taylor Carmola, for the playing rights of forward Teal Burns.
One other move saw defenceman Zach Ovics shipped to Dawson Creek in the North American Hockey League for future considerations.
“I think we’re a better team with a little bit more depth and I think we added a little bit to the future, as well,” said Mike Vandekamp, Clippers general manager.
Cyr played parts of five seasons with his hometown team. He had nine goals, 14 points and 37 penalty minutes in 29 games this season. Chessa scored 13 goals, 24 points and added 42 penalty minutes with the Smokies over 27 games.
Vandekamp was asked if Chessa is a substantial upgrade, offensively, over Cyr.
“I’m not sure if that’s the purpose of making the trade,” Vandekamp said. “It’s not about a substantial upgrade in offence, it’s about completing the template of the team the way that we want it to be built.”
He said that template required a right winger, and the Clippers could part with a centreman.
"We're obviously very aware of how long Colton had been with the team and even though I haven't been with him through that period of time, I still have an emotional attachment to all of our players," Vandekamp said. “We certainly respect Colton’s efforts during his time with the team. We’re hoping that this opportunity for him to go to a real good spot will end up working out really well for him, too.”
The GM said Chessa is hard to play against, bringing a mix of speed, skill, work ethic and competitiveness.
With Forbes, the Clips get a Nanaimoite with a ton of BCHL experience – he’s played in three straight league finals. He has four goals, 14 points and 35 penalty minutes in 35 games this season.
“He’s a tenacious worker and a leader by example and he’s also a local boy,” said Vandekamp.
Carmola is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound blueliner from the U.S.
"He's big, strong, mobile and overall he's going to be a really big addition to our team," said the GM.
Both Carmola and Forbes have another year of junior left after 2011-12.
As for Burns, the 19-year-old had been returned to the Clippers unexpectedly, right before the trade deadline, after a season and a half of major junior.
"We talked to Teal and certainly some consideration was given, both ways, to him playing here but after discussing everything with him and internally, it made more sense to make the trade," Vandekamp said.
In one other transaction Tuesday, forward Tristan Lowenberger was signed by the junior B Oceanside Generals. In essence, he is still part of the Clippers as he could play almost half the team's remaining regular-season games as an affiliate player, and would also be available throughout the playoffs.
ICE CHIPS … The Clippers play the Surrey Eagles on the road tonight (Jan. 11). Chessa and Forbes are both expected to be in the lineup. The Clips will then host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com