Kang Returns

The Trail Smoke Eaters have made use of their defensive depth to upgrade their forwards.  To do that they've hooked up with their regular trade partner in Merritt.  Defenceman Shane Oatway is returning to Merritt in a deal for former Smoke Eater forward Brian Kang.  This has got to feel a bit strange for Oatway who just got dealt to Trail this summer along with Chad Gehon for Cam Brodie and Brad Davis.  Oatway missed the first few days of camp with an injury.  He returned and fit in very well in the exhibition season.  However, the Smokies found themselves with tremendous defensive depth at camp.  Assistant Coach Brian Youngson told me on Saturday they have 11 BCHL defencemen on the roster.  As a result they looked to make a move with that depth to acquire some additional scoring punch.  Now Oatway will find himself right back in Merritt where he started.  He might even get a chance to line up beside Brodie, one of the players he was traded for. 

Kang returns to Trail after one year in Merritt.  The twenty year old from North Vancouver is entering his fifth BCHL season.  He started his career in Cowichan Valley with a 7 point season.  He boosted his production to 18 points the next year.  He nearly doubled that to 35 points when moving to the Smoke Eaters in 06-07.  That year's team finished third in the Interior and made a strong run to the second round of the playoffs.  After the season Kang got shipped to Merritt for a defenceman that chose to play in the USHL instead of in Trail.  His production dipped slightly to 31 points but in fewer games.  Kang will now return to the city where he had his greatest success.  I can imagine he'll be looking to top his career high of 19 goals now that he's going to be counted on to provide scoring and veteran leadership on a young Smokies team.

Kang gives Trail some interesting flexibility up front.  Do they slot him in with Gehon and Bulach?  He should have chemistry with both guys as he's played with them both in the BCHL at one point.  That line would unite the team's 20 year old proven scorers.  They could also put Kang with some young scorers to mentor them and provide a veteran presence.

Oatway's experience in the league and intelligent play would have made him a valuable member of the Smoke Eaters.  However, the reality of Trail's situation is that they were going to have to cut someone they considered BCHL ready whether they moved Oatway or not.  This way they turned what could have been a loss with no return into one that may provide some of the offensive depth they've been searching for.

Kang does also fill up a 20 year old slot.  That will make it difficult for those players that were trying out to take up Trail's last 1988 spot.  It's hard to imagine any of the veterans will be supplanted before the season.

This marks another of several deals Jim Ingram has made with Merritt since taking over as Trail's Coach and GM.  Off the top of my head they acquired Paul Levarsky, traded Dylan Herold for Kevin Koopman, dealt Brodie and Davis for Oatway and Gehon, and now trading Oatway back to Merritt for Kang.  Clearly the two management teams have a strong professional relationship.  It should make for some interesting games between them.

Welcome back Brian!  Hopefully this year he'll be able to take his game to the next level, add some veteran stability to a young team, and find himself a Division 1 home for next fall.  Now the job of filling out the roster for the blue line gets a little easier.  There are still some tough decisions to make before Saturday's home opener against Penticton.  I'll keep you up to date here or on Mountain FM whenever something breaks.  Don't be surprised if there are more deals before the puck drops