Smokies acquire Swaffield

Trail made a move today picking up 1989 born defenceman Taylor Swaffield from Fort McMurray of the AJHL for future considerations. He has 22 points in 117 career games. Swaffield is in his third season of Junior A hockey as he played previously with Lloydminster. He's 6'3, 210lbs and describes himself as a physical, stay-at-home defenceman. The move gives Trail eight defencemen, but Graeme Strukoff is currently on the shelf with an upper body injury. That means once Strukoff gets healthy again it'll be very competitive as the defencemen battle for ice time during practice and games.

The Smokies are hoping Swaffield will be another calming influence in their own end. He can also drop the mitts when called upon. I know since the start of the season I've been saying they need to be tougher in front of their own net... this move should help that. It should also help the PK which has improved but is still at the bottom of the BCHL. We'll have an interview with Swaffield and Brian Youngson on Overtime tonight. Expect more on the blog later.