The Nanaimo Clippers have acquired 2001 born Tyler Schleppe and future considerations in a trade involving the Coquitlam Express and the Merritt Centennials. Schleppe is a highly skilled 6ft 4in centreman who is rejoining his former teammate Sean Donaldson. Both players were teammates on a talent laden Burnaby Winter Club Prep team in 2017-2018 and then moved on to the Prince George Spruce Kings in 2018-2019 where they both won the BCHL Championship and Doyle Cup. Last year, Schleppe moved on to the Express and put up 32 points in 56 games, including 13 goals while taking a key penalty killing role on the league leading PK unit.
Going to the Centennials is 2001 born forward Brandon Dent and 2000 born forward Zack Dallazanna.
Wes Mussio, owner of the Clippers, commented: “Tyler Schleppe plays a strong 2 way game and gives us a much needed point producing big body forward. Tyler is currently listed on the NHL prospects radar list for the 2020 draft. It was tough giving up Dent and Dallazanna in the trade but we are getting a high end skilled forward in Schleppe that should help our offensive thrust and PK this coming season.
Darren Naylor, Vice-President and Head Coach of the Clippers added; “Tyler is a player we have familiarity with going back to his youth hockey days. Tyler has a high hockey IQ and has tremendous puck skills with a nose for the net. With the loss of some key Clippers on the league’s 2nd best Penalty Kill last year, adding Tyler will definitely help because he was a key player on Coquitlam’s league leading PK unit. We are extremely happy to be adding Tyler to the Clippers family.”
