The Nanaimo Clippers have traded forward David Silye and defenseman Max Crozier to the Penticton Vees in exchange for forward Marcus Mitchell and future considerations. In Mitchell the Clippers get a veteran of 146 BCHL games with Salmon Arm and Penticton.
In the previous two seasons (2015-17) with the Silverbacks, Marcus scored 20 goals and had 30 assists for 50 points in 107 games.
The 19-year-old winger scored 22 points in 43 games with the Vees and Silverbacks last season.
He was at his best in the 2017-18 playoffs when he registered six goals and five assists in 11 games for Penticton.
Coach Darren Naylor says Mitchell is a player that he has been targeting. “He’s a player I feel can bring the leadership we really need this year. He’s a player I’ve admired and he’s a really competitive guy.”
Both David Silye and Max Crozier had been exploring options to play in the USHL for the upcoming season, and just this week Crozier had made a verbal commitment to head to Sioux Falls.
Wes Mussio commented “Both David and Max are excellent hockey players and will be missed but it became very apparent in the last few weeks that both players were opting to continue their hockey careers in 2018-2019 away from the Clippers organization. We accepted that fact and sought to add some age and leadership bringing in Mitchell.”
There’s a lot of excitement around the club this week with not only the acquisition of Mitchell but for forward Mackenzie Merriman who was picked up in a separate deal with Bonnyville of the AJHL.
The Clippers organization would like to welcome Marcus Mitchell to the Clipper family and also thank both David Silye and Max Crozier for their contributions to the team.
