Vees trade for reinforcement

Photo: Penticton Vees

The Penticton Vees acquired 19-year-old forward Marcus Mitchell from Salmon Arm on Wednesday.

The Penticton Vees have more reinforcements to help deal with long-term injuries to key forwards.

The team acquired Marcus Mitchell from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Wednesday, in exchange for defenseman Joe Leahy.

Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said the trade came '"out of necessity."

Veteran Chris Klack has been out of the lineup since Nov. 4 due to injury, while Cassidy Bowes is on the shelf for at least another month and co-captain Grant Cruikshank is likely out for the season after suffering a broken ankle on Dec. 8, according to the team.

“With all the long-term injuries to our forward group, we felt the need to add an experienced forward," Harbinson said. "Marcus is a powerful winger that can add offence.”

Mitchell, from Kelowna, is in his third full B.C. Hockey League season.

He's played all of his 122 games with Salmon Arm, scoring 27 goals and totalling 61 points. This season, he has eight goals and 12 points in 19 games.

“It was extremely difficult to move a defenceman of Joe’s calibre,” Harbinson said.

“He helped us win a championship last April, but the addition of Michael Campoli in the new year will help fill the void.”

The Vees said Mitchell will wear number 25 and will make his debut with the team on Friday, when they visit the Wenatchee Wild.

Earlier this month, the Vees also acquired forward Ocean Weisblatt from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.