The Salmon Arm SilverBacks made two roster adjustments ahead of the December 1st CJHL carding deadline, acquiring Forward Michael Roberts from the Trail Smoke Eaters in exchange for Future Considerations; while re-assigning Forward Riley Hunt to a yet-to-be determined KIJHL franchise where he will AP with the 'Backs with the remainder of the season.
Roberts is an 18 year old from Vernon, who spent 53 games with the Vernon Vipers last season, posting 10 points and 4 goals, before a trade that sent him to the Surrey Eagles, where he began this season, before a subsequent trade to the Smoke Eaters that eventually lead to his arrival in Salmon Arm.
'Backs GM Troy Mick says Roberts has shown that he can be an effective Forward in the BCHL, and that his numbers in the KIJHL show that there's room for growth "I watched as he posted 49 points a few years ago with Revelstoke in the KIJHL, and I had previously coached him at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy, and after another year of watching him play in Vernon, we decided he could be a productive player on our roster as we push towards the Playoffs."
As for Riley Hunt, Mick says he hopes the opportunity for added ice-time in the KIJHL will benefit his game "Riley has come back from major surgery and he needs more ice to get his game back to were it should be. There is no question he will be able to do this, but he needs time special teams minutes which he was not getting here at the moment."
The SilverBacks would like to welcome Michael, and his family to the organization, while wishing all the best to Riley Hunt with this change.
