Whiteley Joins ‘Backs

The Salmon Arm SilverBacks have traded 20 year old Defender Zach Urban to the Langley Rivermen, in exchange for 20 year old Defenceman Mark Whiteley.

Urban came to the SilverBacks, late in the off-season, in a deal with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, while Whiteley has 65 games of experience with Langley's organization over the past four seasons; Whiteley is a 6'0, 190lbs native of Surrey, who has 3 points over 8 games to begin the 2013/2014 campaign.

SilverBacks General Manager and Head Coach Troy Mick says that this was a tough decision, Zach is a class act on and off the ice but this past weekend of games made it clear we needed to address our Power Play and this was a deal we could not pass on as Mark is a PP specialist. 

Whiteley has 34 points over his 65 BCHL games, with the majority of those markers occurring last season when registered 30 points in 47 games.

Mick says increasing the mobility of his blue-line was a priority "He's a guy who can make a offensive difference on a game-to-game basis, while never retreating from his defensive duties, and we feel that our team can greatly benefit from his influence as the season progresses."

The 'Backs would like to thank Zach for his efforts as a SilverBack, while wishing him the best in Langley. 

Whiteley will debut in a SilverBacks jersey this weekend, wearing #4.