The Kootenay Ice have recalled 17-year-old forward Connor Barley from the Selkirk Steelers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).
The 6-foot, 174-pound winger was in Cranbrook Tuesday afternoon and is expected to be available when the Ice host the Red Deer Rebels Wednesday night.
"Connor Barley got in [Tuesday], so he will practice with us and he'll be ready to go for the three games this week," said Luke Pierce, head coach of the Kootenay Ice, Tuesday prior to practice at Western Financial Place. "He's going to get a chance to play a big part in our lineup, just due to the bodies that we have. Great opportunity for him."
Barley, a native of St. Andrews, Man., was on the opening-night roster for the Ice, but didn't see any regular-season action before being returned to the MJHL Steelers.
In 20 games since landing back in Manitoba, Barley has collected seven goals and 10 points.
In five pre-season games with the Ice, Barley registered two assists and a plus-3 rating.
Barley was originally a seventh-round pick (141st overall) of the Ice at the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.
With injuries to six regular skaters and forward Shane Allan unavailable after being slapped with a four-game suspension as a result of a charging major incurred Saturday against the Swift Current Broncos, the Ice are expected to go without seven regulars when the Rebels visit Cranbrook.
Affiliate player Eli Lieffers, 15, skated in two games with the Ice this past weekend before being returned to the Saskatoon Contacts of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League.