The Trail Smoke Eaters continue to build for the 2024-25 season with a commitment to Castlegar product Brayden Rotach.
Rotach is a five-foot-11 inch, 165-pound forward who skated with the Okanagan Rockets U18 AAA program in the BCEHL last season.
In 36 games, the 16-year-old scored 17 goals and added 30 assists for 47 points. Rotach also produced 10 points in seven playoff games.
“What separates me as a player is my vision, playmaking, and ability to create offense with goals and assists,” Rotach said in his sports profile. “I feel that I am a hard worker and am relentless on the forecheck and backcheck. Not only putting effort on the ice but putting as much effort off the ice.
“I recognize that the off-ice component of my training is as important as working on my on-ice component.”
Rotach looks to bring his game to the next level in Trail, and hopes to commit to the NCAA in the future.
“Brayden is a very cerebral player that has high potential, we like his overall skill set along with him being a high character individual,” said Smoke Eaters head coach and GM Tim Fragle.
“Brayden is coming of a strong ID camp in Trail, to which he earned his way to this opportunity through competition. Our staff looks forward to helping Brayden with his overall development this coming season.”
Rotach played for the RINK Academy U17 team in 2022-23, netting 15 goals and 30 points in 34 games. He also contributes a positive attitude and work ethic to the Smoke Eaters.
“I help create a positive team culture and represent the team and program in a positive light so that others would want to be a part of the program,” said Rotach. “I am a good team player, not selfish, and enjoy supporting everyone each and every game.
“I am the type of player that can be utilized in any situation and have a 100 per cent commitment to the team and my teammates.”
