The Trail Smoke Eaters bolstered an ailing blue line Tuesday with the addition of 20-year-old defenceman Bennett Hambrook from the Salmon Arm SilverBacks for future considerations.
With Marley Keca nursing an injury and Braeden Jones on the long-term mend, Hambrook, a six-foot, 190-pound defenseman from Kimberley, will give the Smokies a much needed extra hand. Trail played with just five defenceman on the weekend and still managed to defeat Prince George and Penticton.
In 104 career BCHL games with Trail, Prince George, Vernon and Salmon Arm, Hambrook has compiled seven points and 125 penalty minutes. He was named the SilverBacks’ captain to start the 2012-13 season.
Hambrook was also a member of the KIJHL’s Nelson Leafs, putting up 13 points and 242 penalty minutes as Nelson reached the league final during the 2009-10 season. He made his BCHL debut as an affiliate player with the Smokies, appearing in two games during that season.
Hambrook is expected to join the Smoke Eaters for their regular-season game tonight in Penticton. The Smokies host his former club, the SilverBacks, Friday at 7:30 p.m.