Smoke Eaters Add National Champion In Three-Team Deal
By Contributor
The Trail Smoke Eaters Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced on Thursday that the team has acquired defenseman Powell Connor (’00) from the Chilliwack Chiefs while trading forward Levi Glasman (’99) to the Powell River Kings in a three-team trade.
To complete the three-team trade, the Chiefs acquired defenseman Nathan Kelly (’00) from the Kings.
Connor, 18, joins the Smoke Eaters after playing the last two seasons with the Chilliwack Chiefs where he scored 6 goals and added 35 assists for 41 points in 118 games played. The 6’1”, 179-pound defender brings an element of size and sandpaper to the backend, compiling 148 penalty minutes over his time with the Chiefs. So far this season, Connor had amassed one goal and three assists for four points in 18 games played to go along with 21 penalty minutes.
The Vernon, BC native has plenty of BCHL experience with quite the resume sustained in the playoffs. Connor has played in 30 career BC Hockey League playoff games, earning 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points as well as 12 penalty minutes. He played in 5 games at the Western Canada Cup in 2017 and appeared in all 6 games a season ago when Connor and his teammates hoisted the RBC Cup National Championship on their home ice in Chilliwack.
“By acquiring Powell Connor, we believe our team is better prepared to win in the playoffs,” said Smoke Eaters General Manager and Head Coach Jeff Tambellini, “Powell is one of the top defenders in the BCHL and is coming off winning a National Championship in Chilliwack.”
Glasman, 19, is in his second season with the Smoke Eaters after playing his Midget hockey with the Red Deer Chiefs Midget AAA program. The Lacombe, Alberta native has been close to a point-per-game player in the BCHL, collecting 27 goals and 41 assists for 68 points in 69 games with the Smokies. This season, Glasman has registered 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 16 games thus far.
“It’s always difficult to lose a top player like Levi Glasman,” continued Tambellini, “But in order acquire a player like Powell Connor, we had to part with a player of the same caliber.”
The Smoke Eaters would like to welcome Powell and his family to the City of Trail and the Smoke Eaters organization and would also like to thank Levi for his contributions to the club and the City of Trail over the past two years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
The Smoke Eaters return back to home ice on Friday night as they welcome the Mainland Division’s Prince George Spruce Kings to town for their lone visit to the Trail Memorial Centre of the season. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM with tickets available for purchase at the Smoke Eaters Main Office.
