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Hockey: Trail Smoke Eaters make moves

The Trail Smoke Eaters have had an eventful August before even hitting the ice for their fall camp at the end of the month.

The Trail Smoke Eaters have had an eventful August before even hitting the ice for their fall camp at the end of the month.

On Thursday, the Smokies made room on their roster as they released Dylan Bowen, Nathan Browne, Taylor Armbruster, and Nakusp native Greyson Reitmeier, while dealing last year’s captain and Nelson native Adam Wheeldon to the Camrose Kodiaks for future considerations.

The rugged Wheeldon played three years with the Smoke Eaters scoring 17 goals and 22 assists in 140 games while racking up 177 penalty minutes.

The Smokies also signed Dexter McLeod, an 18-year-old defenceman from Edmonton’s Canadian Athletic Club Midget AAA program. The six-foot-three, 200-pound defenceman was the recipient of the “Richard Warwick Memorial Award” last season given to those who best exemplify good sportsmanship, leadership, commitment, dedication, determination and selflessness when it comes to the contribution to their team

The Smokies also announced Friday that Robbie Johnson, a product of the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy Midget U-18 program, has committed to the NCAA Division 1 Air Force Falcons.

Johnson will be suiting up for the Smoke Eaters this season, as a 16-year-old forward who was recruited by Trail Coach and GM, Nick Deschenes, after attending the Smoke Eater spring camp. Johnson hails from Kamloops and stands five-feet-11-inches and weighs 175 pounds.

The Smoke Eaters are also looking for volunteers for the upcoming season, and are in desperate need of billet families for the players. If interested in billetting a Junior A hockey player please contact either Jack Beard at 368-6454 or Tom Gawryletz at 368-5000, or email remax1@telus.net.