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With their goaltending future a little cloudy at the moment, the Merritt Centennials pulled the trigger on a trade Monday they hope will help provide future insurance between the pipes.
The Cents acquired goaltender Jared Andersen and future considerations from the AJHL's Grande Prairie Storm in exchange for defenceman Mitch Jones.
The six-foot, 175-pound Andersen split time last season with the Canmore Eagles and Grande Prairie, compiling a record of 5-6-1 with a 3.53 GAA and .887 save percentage.
Prior to that, Andersen toiled for the Shattuck St. Mary's Prep School where he recorded a 17-7-3 record.
His GAA of 2.32 and save percentage of .910 were instrumental in leading the team to the 2008 Under-18 U.S. National Championship.
“The acquisition of Jared gives us another proven goaltender heading into training camp next month,” said Cents head coach and GM Luke Pierce.
“With two years under his belt at the junior ‘A' level, we feel this trade gives us the type of depth in goal we feel we need to build towards becoming a strong team this season.”
The trade may signal the end of last year's goaltending tandem of Keith Hamilton and Cole Holowenko. Both goalies are trying to hitch onto WHL teams this season.
Should they stay, Pierce added there would be healthy competition for the starter's role at training camp.
“It's a good problem to have,” said Pierce. “We wanted to make sure we had someone to open the season with.”
Pierce said Andersen's character reference was instrumental in the swap – a decision made easier for the Cents since both clubs share goaltending coach Jamie McCaig.
“He's a very good kid in the dressing room and a very hard worker,” he noted.
The outgoing Jones recorded five goals and 23 assists last season with the Centennials after coming over from the Penticton Vees.
The 18-year-old rearguard amassed 74 penalty minutes in his short time with the Cents.
“We are extremely excited to be adding a quality defenceman like Mitch to our hockey club,” said Storm head coach and GM Mike Vandekamp.
“He has good size, good mobility, and will add skill to our blue-line.”
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Cents ship Jones to Grande Prairie for goalie
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