Warriors move popular d-man

Photo: Contributed - Mike Hill

Warriors Dustin Cave with some of Caver's Kids following a Warriors home game last season

The West Kelowna Warriors have traded defenseman Dustin Cave (94) to the Calgary Mustangs (AJHL) for future considerations.

Photo: Contributed - Mike Hill

The West Kelowna Warriors have traded the rights to defenceman Dustin Cave

At 5’11, and 203 pounds, Cave played a hard-nosed style of defense.

Over two seasons with the Warriors Cave amassed one goal and 14 assists in 108 games.

The Tappen, BC native was traded from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in 2011, and is a player the organization won’t easily forget.

"Dustin is a great all around person," says Warriors Head Coach/GM Rylan Ferster.

"He represented the program with class 100 percent of the time. His work in the community was amongst the best I had ever been a part of. We want to thank him for his contributions to the program, and wish him well with his new team."

"Caver", as fans knew him, was a favorite amongst the youth in the community for all his hard work at local schools, and especially with the Okanagan Boys & Girls Club.

He spearheaded a program called "Caver’z Kidz". Each Tuesday he played floor hockey with a group of kids at the local Boys & Girls Club.

And, at every home game, kids from the club were invited to sit in the Caver’z Kidz zone where they were showered with treats, special t-shirt’s, and had a chance to meet Dustin after the game.

Not only did Dustin find sponsorship of season tickets for all of his Caver’z Kidz, he also raised $1,000 for the Okanagan Boys & Girls Club throughout the year.

Cave is the fourth member of last year's Warriors squad to be moved during the off-season.

Defenceman Matthew Berry and forward Brent Lashuk turned out to be the future considerations in trades that saw Daniel Gayle and Mitch Nardi come to the Warriors at the trade deadline.

Forward Reid Simmonds was dealt for 18-year-old defenceman Taylor Graham.

The Warriors also acquired defenceman Jaden Schmeisser from Victoria for future consideration.