Merritt, B.C. – In three separate moves, the Centennials have traded defenseman Chase Cooke and Carter Patterson and have acquired defenceman Tyler Bates.
Move one of three saw Cater Patterson head to the Blackfalds Bulldogs in the AJHL.
“Carter is a player with a year and a half left of junior hockey, he needs to play more to achieve his goals, and we felt we are doing him right in finding him a new opportunity in Blackfalds,” said Centennials Head Coach and General Manager Curtis Toneff.
The Centennials would like to thank Carter for his time with the team and wish him nothing but the best with the Bulldogs.
The second move saw local defenceman Chase Cooke moved to the Humboldt Broncos in the SJHL.
“Over the past week, Chase and I had multiple conversations about what he wants to do for the remainder of his junior career, and in the end, Chase felt the desire to experience something new. Chase will be a great addition for Humboldt, and wish him all the best there,” commented Toneff.
The entire Centennials organization would like to sincerely thank Chase Cooke and his family for his time with the Centennials, he will be greatly missed on and off the ice.
The third move acquired 20-year-old defenceman Tyler Bates from the Calgary Canucks.
“Tyler is a mobile puck-moving two-way defenceman that has a lot to prove and is chomping at the bit to get playing again. Tyler has over 80 games of Junior A hockey under his belt and skates well, and plays with good instincts on both sides of the puck. We now have two twenty-year-old players on the back end with Tyler and Jackson Murphy-Johnson; both players will be looked to for leadership and stability night in and night out,” explained Toneff.
The Centennials would like to welcome Tyler to the Nicola Valley in preparation for his arrival on Friday Night.
You can catch Tyler and the Centennials in action for two games this weekend. Friday night sees the Langley Rivermen make a rare appearance at the NVMA, and Sunday, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks are in town.
