With two of his goalies going away to Western Hockey League training camps, Merritt Centennials head coach Luke Pierce knew he needed to find some more stability in net. This is where Jared Andersen comes in.

Andersen was traded from the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm in exchange for defenceman Mitch Jones. At six feet tall and 175 pounds, Andersen will be the third goalie signed to the team this year, but he understands his future role on the team is yet to be determined.

“I think the situation is kind of up in the air,” said Andersen.

“They (the goalies) might come back, and they might not.”

Pierce has torn feelings about his prospecting goalies, as any coach would. Keith Hamilton will be attending the Portland Winterhawk’s training camp in late August, while Cole Holowenko is being looked at by the Chilliwack Bruins.

“It puts you in a kind of wait-and-see position, which isn’t always easy,” explains Pierce.

“We’d like to see them succeed in their goals, which are to play in the WHL, but at the same time we’d like to know what we’ve got coming in here.”

Pierce expects Hamilton to stay on in Portland for at least the first couple months, but is unsure about Holowenko’s status. The acquisition of yet another goalie is something that Pierce may have to deal with before the season starts.

“We’re going to keep looking here to try and get some certainty.”

As for Andersen, he is focusing on his training and letting the politics of the sport he loves take care of themselves.

“I’m going to try not to worry about it right now and just work my hardest for the rest of the summer,” said Andersen.

“If they both do come back, I can try to beat them out for a starting spot by working as hard as I can.”