Taylor Rocca
With KIJHL training camps approaching, the Creston Valley Thunder Cats made two deals this week as they look to address potential roster holes.
The Thunder Cats first shipped 19-year-old forward Ethan Rusnack to the Kelowna Chiefs. In exchange, Creston Valley received the playing rights for 18-year-old Nick Kovacik.
Rusnack spent the past two seasons in the Creston Valley, tallying 25 goals and 54 points through 69 games.
During his rookie season in the KIJHL, Kovacik made his name known, scoring 17 goals and 40 points in 48 games with the Chiefs.
Creston Valley then swapped forward Colton St. John and future considerations to the Princeton Posse in exchange for forward Dalton Dubetz and defenceman Trevor Beaton.
St. John, a 20-year-old native of Anchorage, Ala., split last season between the Nelson Leafs and Creston Valley. In 29 games, the 5-foot-9 playmaker registered three goals and 23 points.
Dubetz posted 12 goals and 20 points in 47 games with Princeton, while Beaton split the 2013-14 season between the Fernie Ghostriders and Posse, suiting up for 30 games.
Thunder Cats training camp is scheduled to open Aug. 22 at the Creston & District Community Complex.