Taylor Rocca
The Kimberley Dynamiters have traded leading scorer Tyson Klingspohn to the Summerland Steam in exchange for forward Braden Saretsky.
The Steam announced the deal via Twitter Friday night as the Dynamiters were in action against the Fernie Ghostriders.
According to Nitros head coach Jerry Bancks, Klingspohn was a healthy scratch for disciplinary reasons Friday against Fernie. The 18-year-old forward subsequently requested a trade to be closer to his hometown of Penticton.
"Myself and the entire Dynamiters organization are extremely proud of the opportunity we gave Tyson to grow as a player and young man," Bancks said in a statement. "We are disappointed that he was unhappy here and has chosen to go back to his hometown team."
Saretsky, an 18-year-old native of West Kelowna, tallied five goals and 13 points in 19 games with the Steam this season, amassing 53 penalty minutes along the way.
In 69 career KIJHL games, the 5-foot-8 forward has 13 goals and 24 assists to his credit.
Though he has not seen Saretsky play in person, Bancks said he did extensive scouting of the forward, watching footage of his play in the rinks of Kimberley's Eddie Mountain Division rivals. The Nitros bench boss also spoke to Saretsky on the phone Friday, and said the West Kelowna product is excited for a fresh start in Kimberley.
As for Klinspohn, he joined the Nitros as a 16-year-old rookie during the 2012-13 season after being cut by the Steam, according to Bancks. The 5-foot-11 speedster tallied 14 goals and 24 points in 43 games that season, before setting career highs with 15 goals and 33 points last season.
In 26 games with the Dynamiters during the 2014-15 campaign, Klingspohn matched his previous career-high in points with 33, while also setting a personal best with 21 goals.
Klingspohn made it to Osoyoos in time for Saturday's tilt between the Steam and Coyotes, registering one goal in a 7-2 loss.
As of Sunday evening, Klingspohn sits ninth in KIJHL scoring with 22 goals and 34 points in 27 games.
Saretsky suited up in five games with the Penticton Lakers (now the 100 Mile House Wranglers) during the 2012-13 season, before joining the Steam for the 2013-14 campaign.
"On the plus side, another young man will get the opportunity to enjoy the tremendous hockey experienced provided by, not only the Dynamiter organization, but the entire town [of Kimberley] as evidenced by the amazing support Friday," Bancks added, referencing a raucous crowd of 702 that took in Friday's Eddie Mountain Division clash between Fernie and Kimberley, in which the Ghostriders came away with a 4-1 triumph.
Saretsky is expected to be available when the Dynamiters host the Golden Rockets Tuesday night at the Kimberley Civic Centre.