The Prince George Spruce Kings have shuffled their lineup prior to the start of the 2014-15 B.C. Hockey League's regular season today in Chilliwack.
The Kings sent 20-year-old forward Frankie Spellman to Okotoks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations.
Spellman, a six-foot-one 200-pound 19-year-old originally from Des Moines, Iowa, was acquired by the Kings in the off-season from the Kenai River (Alaska) Brown Bears of the North American Hockey League for future considerations.
Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes wanted Spellman for his offensive ability and physical presence up front.
"We're only allowed to keep six import players from the U.S. and we were surprised that Jeremiah [Luedtke] came back," said Hawes. "We were forced to make a decision. Frankie's a good player and he'll have a good season. Jeremiah, he had 55 points for us last season."
Luedtke, from Lynnwood, Wash., who turns 20 on Wednesday, was the Kings second-leading scorer in 2013-14 with 13 goals and 32 assists. He was cut from the Bloomington Thunder of the USHL in early September and rejoined the Kings a week later.
The Kings have limped into Chilliwack for the season-opening BCHL Showcase.
They face off against the Nanaimo Clippers tonight (6:30) and follow that up with a game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Sunday (11 a.m.).
But the injury bug has taken a bite out of the Kings' blueline. Among the walking wounded is top defenceman Karan Toor, who sat out all four games during the pre-season with a lingering groin injury.
Hawes also said defencemen Valik Chichkin and Jake McCarthy won't play in Chilliwack due to shoulder sprains they suffered in games against Vernon in the pre-season.
The Spruce Kings return home from Chilliwack Sunday for another week of practice prior to traveling to Coquitlam Sept. 26-27 and Surrey on Sept. 28.
The Kings' home-opening weekend is Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Coliseum where they'll battle the Chilliwack Chiefs.
