The Prince George Spruce Kings played let’s make a deal Thursday with the Surrey Eagles to acquire 18-year-old defenceman Liam Hunks.
Hunks, a six-foot, 185-pound native of Beaumont, Alta., joined the Kings in a trade for future considerations.
“We’re excited to add Liam to our D core,” stated Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.
“He’s an intelligent young player who will add some skill to our team. I really liked what I saw in his game when I saw him play and look forward to what he’ll add to our team.”
Last season Hunks picked up 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 35 games with the U-18 triple-A Leduc Oil Kings. He also suited up for six games as an affiliated player with the Spruce Grove Saints.
The Kings have had a roster spot open for a defenceman since Tait Ross was placed the long-term injury list. Ross, an 18-year-old Dartmouth College recruit from Coquitlam, has played just three games for the Spruce Kings since he was acquired from Surrey in an off-season transaction.
Warriors coming out to play
The Spruce Kings play at home this weekend at Kopar Memorial Arena where they host the West Kelowna Warriors Friday and Saturday nights.
The teams are tied in points, each with 26. West Kelowna (12-5-2-0-0) sits second in the B.C. Hockey League’s Interior Conference while the Spruce Kings (12-6-1-1-0) are third in the standings.
This marks the first visit of the season to Prince George for the Warriors.
One player to watch is 20-year-old defenceman Aiden Reeves. The six-foot-three, 190-pound Prince George native played the previous two full seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars loaned Reeves to the Spruce Kings in 2019-20 and he played seven games for the Kings that season.
In 18 games this year with West Kelowna Reeves has a goal and an assist.
Kings giving away a new Volkswagen
One lucky fan aged 19 or older who buys a ticket for Friday’s game will be given a chance to win a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. A draw will determine who gets to shoot a puck at a target from 122 feet away during the first intermission.
s has a goal and an assist.
