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Top-10 scorer joins Clippers

Gavin Gould, the newest member of the Nanaimo Clippers, practised with his new team for the first time on Tuesday at Frank Crane Arena.
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Nanaimo Clippers forward Gavin Gould takes a shot on goal during his first practice with the team on Tuesday afternoon at Frank Crane Arena.

It could become even tougher, now, to keep the Nanaimo Clippers off the scoreboard.

The city’s B.C. Hockey League team added another scoring threat over the weekend, acquiring Gavin Gould from the Merritt Centennials in exchange for Zach Court.

Gould practised with his new team for the first time on Tuesday at Frank Crane Arena.

“I’m happy to be here and I’m excited to help this team make a push,” he said.

The 19-year-old forward, 10th in league scoring, had an idea that he might be moved at the trade deadline after spending the first two and a half years of his junior hockey career with the Centennials.

“Once we started getting separated from a playoff spot, I kind of thought there was a chance of it happening,” he said.

The Clippers liked Gould’s offensive capablities and also his feisty play, said general manager Mike Vandekamp, and the newcomer expects to play a similar sort of game in Nanaimo as he played in Merritt.

“I’m just going to do whatever I’ve been doing, because that’s clearly what they’ve brought me in for,” Gould said. “Just bring energy and an offensive side … work hard, do whatever it takes to help these guys win.”

Playing the Clippers as an opponent, he found them hard to play against with their skill, work ethic and attention to detail. Now that he’s on their side, he said the Clippers are right up there among the league’s best.

“I definitely think this team can  go far and I’m excited to see where it goes and help along the way,” Gould said.

The 5-foot-8, 160 pounder is the final roster addition for the 2015-16 Clippers.

“That part of the season has passed us by now, and we’ve got to move forward and survive and succeed with the hands on deck that we have,” Vandekamp said.

“Obviously we have confidence in our team. We’ve played well this year. Some guys are going to have to rise up and continue to improve, continue to get better, that’s a given. So the job is not done – we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

GAME ON … The Clippers play three road games this weekend, starting with a trip to the U.S. to face the Wenatchee Wild on Friday at 7:05 p.m. After that, the Clips visit the Langley Rivermen on Saturday and then the Coquitlam Express on Sunday.  Next home action for Nanaimo is Jan. 22 when the Surrey Eagles stop by Frank Crane Arena.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com