Gray trade fiasco ends as former Coyote jumps at opportunity to play hockey in Lone Star State with Texas Junior Brahmas
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily
The Nelson Daily has learned that Nelson Leafs thought-to-be-traded for forward Josh Gray is heading to Texas to play for the Junior Brahmas Junior A squad.
A story on the team website said, “The Brahmas were able to add to their roster, filling the holes of the departing players with forwards Landyn Howze, Seth Ensor and Josh Gray, along with goaltender Zane Sampson.”
“I’m totally shocked and surprised,” said KIJHL president Bill Ohlhausen when informed of the news.
“Because (Gray) originally said he wanted to go to Nelson,” Ohlhausen added. “But I guess he’s turned up down there and is now going to be a member of the Texas Junior Brahmas.”
Leaf coach Frank Maida heard the news first hand from Gray during a telephone conversation Saturday.
“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get he player we were after,” Maida said. “Josh made his decision and I respect that decision.”
“(Josh) had another opportunity to play in a new place . . . a place where they’re going to look after him so he thought it was a great opportunity to finish the year down there,” Maida added.
The whole Gray trade fiasco started January 10 when the Leafs thought the Osoyoos forward was dealt to Nelson. However, before the ink was dry on the trade form Gray was quietly shuffled off to Kimberley by the Coyotes for 1992 defenceman Lane Koentges.
Leaf management protested leaving the final decision in the hands of Ohlhausen.
Ohlhausen sent out correspondence to the teams involved in an effort to find a solution to the problem.
B.C. Hockey has also become involved in rectifying the Gray’s trade.
Although Ohlhausen never officially spoke to Gray, he was informed the native of Gibsons wanted to play in Nelson before hearing the news the former Coyote was headed to play in Texas.
The Nelson Daily placed calls and emails to Junior Brahmas head coach Jeremy Law.
However, no calls or emails were returned.
The Texas Junior Brahmas play in the five-team WSHL (Western States Hockey League) Mid-West Conference.
The team is currently third in league standings with a record of 15-10-0-1, trailing first place Dallas Ice Jets by 12 points.
Texas defeated last place Dallas Snipers 5-2 Saturday at home.
Gray helped Osoyoos to the KIJHL title last season.
The 6’3”, 205-pound winger had 10 goals and 21 assists before leaving the Coyotes before in December.
Gray told Maida he expects to travel to Texas next Saturday.
ICE CHIPS: Nelson made it two straight East Kootenay wins Saturday by stopping the Columbia Valley Rockies 4-1 in Invermere. Patrick Martens scored twice, giving the former BCHLer five for the weekend, to lead Nelson while Carsen Willans and Eric Spring added singles. The Leafs out shot the Eddie Mountain Division cellar dwellers 37-17, including 17-3 in the second period, to make a winner out of Patrick Defoe in the Nelson nets. The Leafs also scored twice on the power play. . . .Nelson defeated Golden Rockets 3-2 Friday to open the two-game swing. . . .Nelson is back in action Friday for the first of a two-game, home-and-home series against Castlegar Rebels. Game time Friday is 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
