The Prince George Spruce Kings now have another future Ivy League scholar on their blueline.
The Kings acquired 18-year-old defenceman Viktor Dombrovskiy from the Trail Smoke Eaters late Monday in exchange for 19-year-old defenceman Stephen Penner and 18-year-old forward Cooper Leitch.
Dombrovskiy, who grew up in Coquitlam, is committed to play at Harvard University in 2015-16 on an NCAA Division 1 scholarship. He joins defenceman Karan Toor, who has secured an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to Dartmouth College for next season. Toor, the Kings' best defenceman, remains out of the lineup with a groin injury.
Dombrovskiy, at six-feet, 200 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the Langley Riverman and appeared in 19 games with the Smokies this season. With Trail, he tallied two goals and 13 assists.
"Viktor is a top-level defenceman in our league," said Kings general manager Mike Hawes. "Having watched him for the past couple of seasons in our league, I was excited when the opportunity to acquire him presented itself. He excels at all aspects of the game and will greatly improve the overall depth of our defence group."
Dombrovskiy will join fellow Kings teammates Jesse Jenks and Brogan O'Brien at the selection camp for Team Canada West in Calgary from Dec. 7-9. The team will compete at the World Junior A Challenge Dec. 14-20 in Kindersley, Sask.
In 27 games with the Kings, Leitch collected two goals and an assist, while Penner had two goals and two assists.
In another trade with the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Lloydminster Bobcats, the Spruce Kings acquired 20-year-old defenceman Tyler Kunz in exchange for 19-year-old forward Taylor Allan and future considerations.
Last week, Allan returned home to Calgary to await a trade as he had hoped to earn a spot in the lineup as a top-six forward.
In 30 games, the five-foot-11, 190-pound Kunz - who grew up in Whitecourt, Alta. - has tallied 10 goals, 15 assists and 32 penalty minutes.
"Tyler is an extremely talented hockey player and a fantastic young man," said Hawes. "He will contribute at both ends of the ice and will give our defence group some veteran leadership. He can produce great offensive numbers while also being able to defend very well."
The Kings host the Chilliwack Chiefs Friday and Saturday at the Coliseum.
The Chiefs are in first place in the B.C. Hockey League's Mainland Division at 17-8-0-1, one point ahead of second-place Prince George (16-11-0-2).
