The Trail Smoke Eaters continue to wheel and deal as the team prepares for its training camp that starts today at the Cominco Arena.
The Smokies picked up 20-year-old forward Tyson Witala from the Prince George Spruce Kings Tuesday in exchange for future considerations.
“He’s a top-six forward, a skilled guy,” said Trail coach and GM Bill Birks. “He’s been in the league this will be going into his fourth year, a veteran guy that can play.”
A Prince George native, Witala has played 97 games in the BCHL, scoring 23 goals and 19 assists, going 14-6-20 last season in 35 games. The five-foot-eleven, 185 pound forward provides both grit and scoring touch, similar to a Tyler Berkholz, says Birks.
“He’s eager to come and that’s always a key. You usually hit home runs when kids are like that.”
The Smokies hit the ice at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. today, and scrimmage Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday the Smokies prospects go at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and finish up Saturday with the Orange vs Black game at noon.
The Smokies first and only home exhibition game goes Tuesday against the Selkirk College Saints at 7 p.m. at the Cominco Arena. The Smokies then travel to Penticton and Merritt on Wednesday and Thursday for their final two primers versus the Vees and Centennials.
The season opens at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack at the Bauer Showcase with Trail taking on Langley Sept. 6 and Cowichan Valley on Sept. 8.
The Smoke Eaters are still in need of billets: call Tom at 368-1436 and become part of the Smokie family.