Cody Carlson had his preferences and the Prince George Cougars were in the right time zone.
Given the chance to return to his home province, the 19-year-old native of Victoria was overjoyed the Regina Pats could work out a deal with the Cougars to trade him to Prince George when the deal was made last week.
His addition gives the Cougars an offensive threat on defence, an aspect they were lacking, and the change of scenery came a good time for Carlson.
"I'm definitely excited to play in B.C.," said Carlson, a former Medicine Hat Tiger who spent one year with Regina, where he was an assistant captain with the Pats. "My family will get to see me play. Playing in the East, they didn't get to see me much.
"I really liked Regina, it was a good organization, I just wasn't feeling comfortable there. I wasn't learning anything. Nothing was getting better for me. I just thought it would be easier to get a move. Coming here, I'm pretty excited about the team and how we're going to be."
Following the trade, Carlson joined the Cougars in Medicine Hat, where he scored his second goal f the season. He also picked up an assist Monday in Edmonton, bringing his point total to five in eight games. He finished with four goals and 21 assists last season in Regina.
Carlson has been paired with second-year d-man Jesse Forsberg.
"Forsberg is a good young player and he's having a good year," said Carlson. "This team has a bunch of guys who want to be here and want to work hard every night and it's good to see."
Carlson and newly-acquired 20-year-old defenceman Sena Acolatse will suit up for their first games in Cougars uniforms tonight at 7 at CN Centre to take on the Prince Albert Raiders.
Prince George will be without forward Spencer Asuchak tonight. The team's second-leading pointgetter with nine, including six goals, sustained a concussion Monday in Edmonton. Forward Brock Hirsche is back after missing four games with a knee injury.
See Friday's Citizen for more Cougar coverage.
