TRADE: Vees acquire veteran forward George Stavrianeas
Photo: Lisa Mazurek
PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees made one move before the B.C. Hockey League Trade Deadline on Monday, acquiring the BCHL playing rights to veteran forward George Stavrianeas (’05) from the Victoria Grizzlies.
In exchange, the Vees have traded the BCHL playing rights of defenceman Julien Wasmer (’05) to Victoria. Stavrianeas’ playing rights were acquired by the Grizzlies in an earlier trade with the Vernon Vipers on Monday.
“This trade allows us to add a veteran forward to our lineup. We have had issues staying healthy this season and Stavrianeas solidifies our forward group. He played the last two seasons for a divisional rival, so we know him quite well. We look forward to having him for the stretch drive,” said Vees’ President, General Manager, and Head Coach Fred Harbinson.
The 19-year-old winger played parts of the last two seasons with the Vernon Vipers. In 23 games with the Vipers this season, Stavrianeas had nine points (3G, 6A). In January he signed with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings in the NAHL, and posted 13 points (5G, 8A) in 10 games. Last season, the Brossard, QC, product put up 24 points (9G, 15A) in 53 games with the Vipers. He had five points (1G, 4A) in nine playoff games last spring.
With the addition of Stavrianeas, the Vees roster now sits at 26 players: 14 forwards, nine defencemen, and three goaltenders.
Stavrianeas is expected to make his Vees debut on Friday, February 14th, against the Trail Smoke Eaters, at the SOEC.