The Nanaimo Clippers are well on their way toward 2012-13. The team has two new recruits already signed for next year, 18-year-old defenceman Chris Newton and 17-year-old forward Mason Mitchell.
Both are 1994-born players out of Calgary midget AAA.
Clippers general manager Mike Vandekamp said the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Newton is a big-bodied defensive-minded defenceman.
"[He is] a real quality character kid, big and strong and a steady, responsible defenceman. Good mobility, good strength."
Mitchell, 6-foot-2, 185 pounds is a “pain in the butt” to play against.
“He’s a good-skating, big-bodied, physical, aggressive, tenacious forechecker and a real character guy,” said Vandekamp.