The Powell River Kings are excited to announce the addition of 1998 born forward Ryan Brushett from the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm, in exchange for defenceman Riley Hayles who joins the Surrey Eagles.
Brushett is a third year BCHL veteran. The Verdun, Quebec product suited up for both the Vernon Vipers and Surrey Eagles in the previous two seasons, playing 108 BCHL games, scoring 31 goals and assisting on 44 others. Prior to the BCHL, Brushett spent a season in the USHL with Sioux Falls and Bloomington.
“We’re getting a guy going into his fourth year of Junior hockey which is really important,” said Kings GM and Head Coach Tyler Kuntz. “Also we’re getting a guy with a reputation of someone who can score, put pucks in the net and I think you can never have too many of those.”
In his last two seasons with Vernon and Surrey, Brushett had developed a knack of scoring against the Kings. He had 3 goals in 2 games last season with the Eagles, while also scoring 1 goal in the two games against Vernon the year prior.
Leaving Powell River is 1998 born defenceman Riley Hayles, who was acquired in the off-season from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Hayles will join the Eagles as both Surrey and Grande Prairie agreed on terms to complete the three team trade.
“We really liked Riley and were excited to bring him here to Powell River, however he has a family situation where he needs to stay close to his home base in Ladner,” adds Kuntz. “Obviously that’s disappointing for us but at the same time you want to help kids out, we think he’s a great young man and we wanted to get him playing as soon as possible. It’s good for him and his family that he can stay at home and still pursue the BCHL and hopefully college hockey next year.”
The Kings open their 31st season in Powell River on Saturday, September 8 at the Hap Parker Arena. The Victoria Grizzlies make their first of four visits to Powell River this season, a rematch of last year’s Island Division Championship. Tickets are available at http://tickets.powellriverkings.com/.
