The Kootenay Ice announced on Wednesday that they had acquired 1998-born goaltender Kurtis Chapman from the Regina Pats in exchange for a conditional sixth round draft pick in 2018.
Chapman, a native of Airdrie, Alberta, has a 3.61 goals against average and a .905 save percentage after three pre-season games in 2017.
The 6’2, 180-pound goalie played 16 regular season games with the Turnbull Cup winning Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League last year. During those games, Chapman amassed a 2.94 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.
TRADE: The @WHLKootenayICE pick up another goalie, acquiring Kurtis Chapman from the @WHLPats
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 14, 2017
DETAILS 🔁| https://t.co/pyWejFPmT8 pic.twitter.com/ttlpCumuKQ
“Kurtis is an experienced goaltender that will compete for Ice,” said Kootenay president and general manager Matt Cockell. “We are looking for someone to earn the opportunity to play goal for our team, we have a competition, and Kurtis will be in the thick of it.”
With the addition of Chapman, the Ice now have four goalies in competition for the starter and backup roles. The team acquired 20-year-old Mario Petit over the off-season and traded for Bailey Brkin, a 1999-born netminder, from the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday. 16-year-old top prospect Jesse Makaj is also still in the mix.
Chapman should get a chance to debut with the Ice on Friday or Saturday, during the team’s last two preseason games in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.