Merritt, BC – October 14, 2010
The Merritt Centennials are pleased to announce the acquisition of 18-year-old goaltender Lino Chimienti and 18-year-old defenceman Brett Kolins in two separate trades.
Kolins was picked up from the Victoria Grizzlies along with 18-year-old defenceman Scott Milnthorp and future considerations in exchange for 20-year-old forward Dustin Johnson.
Kolins, who's from Abbotsford, has one goal, four assists and 109 PIM in 60 career BCHL games. He played with his hometown Pilots of the PIJHL in 2008-09, registering one goal, 12 assists and 224 PIM in 48 games as a 16-year-old.
In a second transaction, the Cents traded Milnthorp and the junior 'A' rights to 18-year-old defenceman Austin Baecker to the AJHL's Grand Prairie Storm for Chimienti.
Chimienti, who's from Laval, Quebec, has a 1-1-0-0 record, a 2.59 GAA and a .916 save percentage in three appearances with Grand Prairie this season. He spent last season with Sioux Falls of the USHL, posting an 8-3-5-0 record, one shutout, a 3.10 GAA and an .879 save percentage.
“We are very excited about having Lino and Brett join our hockey club,” said Cents Head Coach & GM Luke Pierce. “I feel this move will provide us with significant depth not only this year, but in the future as well.”
Pierce continued, “I'm also very proud of the way our team has handled what was a very delicate situation with Dustin Johnson and I think our players are excited about moving forward.”
“We wish Dustin the best in Victoria and are pleased to welcome both Lino and Brett to our group.”
