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St.Denis trade, boom or bust for the Capitals

An article in a Cowichan newspaper last week suggests that the status of former Trail Smoke Eater, Travis St. Denis, may not be as certain as once thought.

An article in a Cowichan newspaper last week suggests that the status of former Trail Smoke Eater, Travis St. Denis, may not be as certain as once thought.

According to reporter Ashley Degraaf of the Cowichan News Leader, Cowichan Capitals coach Jim Ingram is neither confirming nor denying rumours that St. Denis will not report to camp.

“We’re still talking with Travis and we have a long way before the season starts here,” said Ingram. “I don’t want to say he doesn’t want to come to us. I think right now we’re just in a holding pattern and we’ve acquired the most sought-after player in our league and I wouldn’t hesitate to say, the western provinces.”

Numerous attempts to contact St. Denis were unsuccessful.

Ingram, a former Trail Smoke Eaters’ coach, wouldn’t speculate on how it would play out if St. Denis changed his mind, nor did he say where the rumours stemmed from.

He did say, however, that he had a meeting scheduled with St. Denis this week.

“Time will be the indicator of what will happen with Travis and it will sort itself out.”

If St. Denis chooses not to report, it’s a complete loss for the Capitals but the Smoke Eaters would not be penalized in any way, although Smokies coach Bill Birks is clear on his position.

“If the kids not reporting then he’s not playing. I mean we’re here for the kids but it’s pretty frustrating when they back you into a corner,” said Birks.

St. Denis requested a trade at the end of last season and although his trade request was accommodated, the Cowichan Valley Capitals was not his first choice.

“He started with requesting every team on the coast, and then a week later it was down to four or five teams and then the next day it was down to one team,” he said.

According to Birks, St. Denis wanted to follow in his brother Kyle’s footsteps and play for the Victoria Grizzlies.