The Prince George Spruce Kings traded a defenceman for a defenceman on Monday.
The Kings acquired 18-year-old Ryan Fritz from the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for another 18-year-old, blueliner Jordan Low.
Fritz, a six-foot-two, 195-pounder from Rochester, N.Y., was in his first season with the Clippers, who are 12-6 and lead the B.C. Hockey League's Island Division. In 18 games for the Clippers, Fritz had a goal and two assists and 18 penalty minutes.
Prior to this season, Fritz competed for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres under-18 program, collecting eight points and 100 penalty minutes in 34 games in the 2013-14 season.
"Ryan is a solid defenceman who can play in both ends of the rink and also has a physical element to his game," said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes. "I felt we needed to add some physicality to the back end while still maintaining the high level of skill that our group of defencemen have. Ryan will provide both of those for us."
The 10-6-0-2 Kings lead the Mainland Division, one point ahead of the Chilliwack Chiefs.
In 14 games with the Kings, the six-foot-five, 210-pound Low had a goal and an assist and 17 penalty minutes.
Prince George was idle on the weekend but hits the highway Thursday for a three-game road trip to battle the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday (7 p.m.), Merritt Centennials Saturday (7 p.m.) and the West Kelowna Warriors Sunday (2:30 p.m.)
