With one stroke of the pen, the Prince George Spruce Kings just got a bit older.
The Kings have acquired 20-year-old forward Michael Colantone from the Victoria Grizzlies as well as future considerations, giving up 18-year-old defenceman Jesse Ursic in exchange.
In 57 games last season for the Grizzlies, Colantone collected 13 goals and 22 assists, as well as 42 penalty minutes. The six-foot, 190-pound native of Cave Creek, Ariz., had two assists in two games this season with Victoria.
Ursic picked up one assist last weekend as the Kings opened the season at home, splitting a two-game set with the Merritt. He joined the Kings in an off-season trade with the Nanaimo Clippers. The six-foot-four, 200-pound native of Port Alberni had three goals and seven points in 42 games with the Clippers in 2010-11.
The Kings are well-stocked with defencemen, with seven remaining on the roster, including Trevor Esau, Ben Woodley, Ben Matthews, Cody Bardock, Skylar Pacheco, Jared Crossan, and Sam Waterfield.
"Sometimes you need to trade from your strengths," said Kings general manager Mike Hawes, on the team website, www.sprucekings.bc.ca.
The Kings will travel to Penticton for a Friday game against the Vees, followed by a Saturday game in Vernon against the three-time defending BCHL champion Vernon Vipers.
Three Kings are among a group of nine players tied for the league scoring lead. Leo Fitzgerald (three goals, one assist) heads that list, while teammates Paul DeJersey (2-2), Gerry Fitzgerald (2-2) and Jujhar Khaira (2-2) are also in the top nine.
