The West Kelowna Warriors made a couple of minor moves in advance of the Dec. 1st CJHL trading deadline.

Photo: Contributed - West Kelowna Warriors

Ben Tegtmeyer

In hopes of bolstering their defensive corps, West Kelowna acquired (’94) Ben Tegtmeyer from the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits.  The Cincinnati native had posted six points in 23 games so far in his rookie season with the Bandits. 

To make space for Tegtmeyer, the Warriors released defenceman (’93) Jake Uglem – a Minnesota product who had notched one assist in 22 games with the Warriors this year.

A couple of days previously, the Warriors tweaked their goaltending roster. 

The team released (’93) goalie Garrett Rockafellow.  Rockafellow had been acquired by West Kelowna in the off-season and had played nine games this season, earning two victories and posting a 3.14 GAA. 

The Warriors then filled that spot by signing (’94) Steven Myland from the PIJHL’s North Delta Devils. 

Myland had a 2.44 GAA and a 92.3 save percentage with North Delta on the season, and backed-up Tyler Briggs for both games this weekend. 

“My job as General Manager is to make this our team better” says Rylan Ferster of the deadline. 

However, Ferster also stresses that he’s not interested in making major moves simply to shake up his roster. 

“We don’t want to panic, or make a move just to make a move” says the coach, who adds that the return of injured forwards Max French and Brett McKinnon will “almost be like a little deadline move for us.”

The Warriors still have one roster space remaining on their 22-man limit, and another month before the final January 10th trading deadline.