The Powell River Kings are proud to announce the commitment of 1998-born forward Carter Turnbull for next season.
Turnbull, who turns 17 in September, is from Nanaimo and joined the Kings at their main camp this past August as well as playing in exhibition games for the club. This season, Turnbull was with the VIJHL’s Nanaimo Buccaneers and was 2nd in team scoring with 31 goals and 40 assists for 71 points. Those numbers also had Turnbull 9th in league scoring.
Listed at 5’7, 155lbs, Turnbull is a small forward who isn’t afraid to mix it up. “Powell River plays a gritty game, and I like that” says Turnbull. “I’m hoping to bring some offence to the table, I like to be creative in the offensive zone.” In addition to his time in Nanaimo, Turnbull played 1 game with the Kings and 4 with Cowichan Valley as an affiliate, scoring a goal and adding an assist with the Caps.
“Carter is a very good player who is going to have a big role with our hockey club” says Kings Head Coach and General Manager Kent Lewis. “He’s obviously a very gifted player offensively, but he’s also smart with the puck and that’s why we’re excited to have him with us next season.”
With a successful season in Nanaimo under his belt, Turnbull set his mind on playing in the BCHL for the 2015/2016 campaign, and decided that he wanted to do that in Powell River. “The Kings are always a contender in the playoffs, they always have a good, tough team” says Turnbull. “Also some of the best coaching staff in the league, and it’s a beautiful town so there really wasn’t any reason not to choose Powell River.”
“We had a good look at Carter during camp and exhibitions last year and he certainly demonstrated that he can play at this level” says Lewis. “We felt the best thing for his development at the time was to spend time with the Buccaneers logging a lot of minutes there, and be able to come up to Junior A next season and play a big role for us.”
“Obviously it’s faster, it’s smarter, it’s better passing, better goalies, all around better” says Turnbull. “The challenge will be adapting to that and getting used to working with new guys and better players. I have ice time in the summer to get my feet wet, and lots of time in the gym in order for me to get stronger and bigger and ready for the season.”
Turnbull will be in Powell River late August as the eligible returnees assemble for Main Camp in town, in preparation of the 2015/2016 season beginning in September.
