The Trail Smoke Eaters added a huge veteran presence to its line up this week, with the return of two players from the United States Hockey League and the acquisition of another from Coquitlam Express.
The Smoke Eaters are excited to welcome back defenseman Marley Keca after a tryout with the Indiana Ice. Trail acquired the Kelowna product in a multi-player deal last October from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
In 39 appearances with Trail during the 2011-12 season, Keca tallied 5 goals and 19 points. Keca has played 104 BCHL regular-season games with Trail, Alberni Valley and Quesnel.
Forward Austin Adduono, 19, comes to Trail from the Fargo Force after spending the 2011-12 season with Wichita Falls and Dawson Creek of the North American Hockey League. In 58 appearances with the Wildcats and Rage last season, the Thunder Bay, Ont. native scored 13 goals and 22 points. As a 17 year-old, Adduono led the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) in scoring, posting 32 goals and 72 points with the Wisconsin Wilderness.
He was named SIJHL Rookie of the Year, helping the Wilderness to the championship in their inaugural season.
In a separate transaction, the Smoke Eaters acquired 19-year-old defenseman Braden Pears from Coquitlam for future considerations.
Pears, from Victoria, has played 132 games in the BCHL with Powell River, Victoria, Salmon Arm and Coquitlam, scoring 20 points.
Pears made four appearances with the Express this season.
Adduono, Keca and Pears could all be in the lineup for the Smokies’ next home game, Saturday against the Vernon Vipers. For ticket information, call 368.5000 or visit www.trailsmokeeaters.com.