Taylor Rocca
The Kootenay Ice have released 18-year-old G Jayden Sittler.
The move reduces the team's roster to 26 players and leaves 18-year-old G Keelan Williams to backup veteran puck-stopper Wyatt Hoflin.
The Ice announced the roster move via Twitter Monday afternoon.
Sittler suited up in two pre-season games for the Ice this September, registering a record of 1-1-0 with a 5.35 goals-against average (GAA) and 0.840 save percentage (SP). The native of Red Deer, Alta. appeared in one regular season game for the Ice during the 2013-14 season, making 17 saves Nov. 28, 2013 in relief of Hoflin. Not only was Sittler lucky enough to suit up in his hometown, but he led the Ice to a 4-3 victory over the Rebels at the ENMAX Centrium.
Sittler did not dress in either of the Ice's two regular season games this past weekend, with Williams serving as backup to Hoflin.
Williams produced the best pre-season numbers of the three netminders, registering a 2.67 GAA and 0.897 SP with a record of 0-1-0. The native of Calgary, Alta. spent the 2013-14 season with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The Ice now have two goaltenders, nine defencemen and 15 forwards remaining on the roster.
Next up, the Kootenay Ice travel to Red Deer for a rematch with the Rebels Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. The Ice opened the 2014-15 WHL regular season with a 5-3 victory over the Rebels at the ENMAX Centrium Sept. 20 before falling to the Edmonton Oil Kings the following night by a final score of 4-2.