Warriors acquire Bulldogs’ captain
The captain of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs is now a West Kelowna Warrior.
The Warriors have acquired 20-year-old forward Ryan Steele in exchange for 18year-old defenceman Spencer Hora and future considerations.
Steele spent the last season and a half with the Bulldogs, collecting 17 goals and 56 points to go along with 109 penalty minutes in 96 career BC Hockey League games.
This season, the six-foot, 180-pound forward registered seven goals and 28 points in 38 games to go along with 60 penalty minutes while earning a scholarship to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Ct., for next season.
Prior to his time in the BCHL, the Stratford, P.E.I., native played 78 games with the Holderness School in the United States High School Hockey League scoring 37 goals and 77 points before spending 18 games with the New Hampshire Avalanche under-18 team where he scored a goal and two points.
“Ryan is a big forward who can contribute offensively and help our club down the stretch,” said Warriors assistant coach and assistant general manager Shae Naka, “We are excited to have him join our program.”
Hora, 18, got into 14 games with the Warriors after starting the season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Kelowna native scored a goal and four points in West Kelowna and has a goal and 14 points in 35 games played between the Warriors and Silverbacks this season.
“We want to thank Spencer for his contribution to the West Kelowna Warriors organization and wish him the best of luck in Alberni,” said Naka.
The Warriors head to Wenatchee, Wash., for a a pair of games this weekend. Their next home game is Tuesday against the Vernon Vipers.