The Trail Smoke Eaters announced this week that Bryan Basilico will be returning to the team with a scholarship firmly tucked under his belt.
Basilico committed to Lake Superior State University, an NCAA Div. 1 hockey team for the 2015/16 season. A Rochester, Mich. native, Basilico also played in the USHL for Green Bay Gamblers and Des Moines Buccaneers in 2012-13.
“Our main concern was trying to get him back to Trail for the longest time,” said Smokies coach Nick Deschenes. “It was a little nerve wracking, but it all worked out.”
Basilico, a six-foot-three-inch, 200-pound forward played with Trail in the 2013-14 season netting 16 goals and 16 assists in 48 games. His combination of size and skill will be a welcome asset up front for the Smokies in the upcoming season.
In other BCHL news, former Smokie defenceman Valik Chichkin, along with Taylor Allen, was traded to the Prince George Spruce Kings from the Cowichan Capitals last week in exchange for Skylar Pacheco and future considerations.
In addition, Salmon Arm acquired the rights to Logan Mick from Merritt Centennials last month in exchange for the playing rights to Luke Bertolucci, a Montrose native. Bertolucci, a 19-year-old former Smoke Eater forward, also helped the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings win the Memorial Cup in April.
The Smoke Eaters are also in need of volunteers and billets to help out with the upcoming season. Anyone interested should contact the Smoke Eaters president Tom Gawryletz at 368-5000 or visit trailsmokeeaters.com.