Connor Russell is intent on getting the Prince George Spruce Kings back into the B.C. Hockey League playoffs.
The 20-year-old defenceman was announced Wednesday as the future considerations the Spruce Kings acquired in January when they traded 19-year-old centre Corey Hoffman to the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
"I am looking forward to getting started in Prince George. I want to be a leader and a big part of helping the Spruce Kings turn things around this year to become a playoff contender," said Russell,
in a team release.
This past season, the six-foot-two, 195-pound Russell played in all 58 of the Capitals' regular season games, collecting three goals and 17 assists for 20 points, as well as 52 penalty minutes. He picked up three assists in six playoff games.
The Guelph, Ont., native joined the BCHL in 2014, when he was recruited by the Penticton Vees. Russell had a goal and five assists in 27 games that season for the Vees before he was traded to Cowichan Valley. He finished 2014-15 with a goal and two assists in 17 games with the Caps.
"We are excited to add Connor to our organization," said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes. "He is a big solid defenceman who can excel in both ends of the ice. He's also a veteran player and a tremendous young man who will be leaned on heavily to provide leadership to our team on and off the ice."
The Kings expect to have Russell in Prince George just before the start of training camp, Aug. 25.
The Spruce Kings won just 14 games in 2015-16 and failed to qualify for the BCHL playoffs for the first time in five seasons. Their 14-38-2-4 record was second-worst in the 17-team BCHL.
