Salmon Arm B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are thrilled to announce the acquisition of 17-year-old forward Carter Loney following a pair of trades: first, sending forwards Noah Wakeford and Coalson Wolford to the Trail Smoke Eaters in exchange for forward Matt Osadick and future considerations, and then subsequently moving Osadick and future considerations to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Steinbach Pistons in exchange for Carter Loney.
Loney was the MJHL Rookie of the Year this past season for the first-place Pistons and a Second-Team All-Star, after producing 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 52 games. The year prior, he attended the RINK Hockey Academy along with recently acquired forward Braden Fischer, where Loney recorded 30 points in 26 games in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. The 5-foot-9 forward has secured an NCAA scholarship to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, who are the two-time defending NCAA champions.
“We’re extremely excited to have Carter joining our organization,” Silverbacks general manager Brooks Christensen said. “He’s a player who will have a major impact on the ice and we believe he’ll be a fan favourite. We think Carter will be one of the most dynamic players in the BCHL this season and will add a much-needed offensive threat to our lineup. With the moves made recently and the new recruits coming in, we feel we have the complimentary pieces for some good line chemistry this season.”
Wakeford, who was entering his final year of junior eligibility, played for the Backs for three seasons, totalling 33 goals and 75 assists for 108 points in 150 career games. Wolford, 19, scored 11 goals and added 10 assists for 21 points in his rookie year for the Backs last season.
“We’d like to thank Noah and Coalson for their contributions to the team and to the community,” Christensen said. “Both players made an impact and we wish them all the best in Trail.”
Loney was ranked 167th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting on their final 2020 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings, up 31 spots from his mid-term ranking. He suited up for Team Canada West at the 2019 World Jr. A Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C. and took part in the CJHL Top Prospects Game, alongside former Silverback Luke Mylymok.
Loney is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, as he grew up in Winnipeg, MB but was born in Columbus, OH during his dad Brian’s pro career. Brian Loney was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1992 after a standout year at Ohio State University and went on to have an 11-year playing career between the AHL, ECHL and Europe.
The Silverbacks would like to welcome Carter to Salmon Arm and thank both Noah and Coalson for all their hard work and dedication to the organization.
