Taylor Rocca
The Kimberley Dynamiters have traded defenceman Andrew Miller to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in exchange for future considerations.
Dynamiters GM Dave Smith confirmed the deal Sunday afternoon.
“[Andrew] indicated he would like to play his overage season closer to home,” Smith said Monday afternoon. “He’s a Trail boy and he indicated that Beaver Valley would be his destination of choice.”
Smith obliged the request and was able to strike a deal with Nitehawks head coach/GM Terry Jones.
Miller served as an alternate captain for the Nitros during the 2013-14 season, posting career-best totals of four goals and 16 points in 51 games. The veteran blueliner has dressed in 106 KIJHL games since 2010, including 78 contests with the Dynamiters.
“It’s always tough to find good 20-year-olds,” Smith said. “He would have been a key guy.”
Smith expects forward Matt Lucero, acquired from the Revelstoke Grizzlies Aug. 18, to help fill the leadership void left behind by Miller. The Nitros GM also hasn’t ruled out bringing in another veteran skater should a good fit present itself.
“I’m really expecting big things from [Lucero],” Smith said. “We’ll probably find another 20-year-old out there. We like to be a young team and move kids on, but you need that veteran leadership so we’ll keep our eyes open for another 20-year-old, for sure.”
Miller played one game with the Nitehawks during the 2010-11 season before moving on to the Nelson Leafs and eventually the Osoyoos Coyotes.
The Dynamiters originally acquired Miller’s rights from the Coyotes Nov. 17, 2012 in exchange for future considerations.
Nitros camp opens Friday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Kimberley Civic Centre.