One of Penticton Vees’ offseason acquisitions from last summer has been traded after suiting up in just seven games.
The Vees have acquired defenceman Lucas Sorace from the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for forward Parker Murray, the team announced Tuesday, Dec. 5.
“We are a program that over the past few seasons have made very few roster moves, averaging basically one per season,” said Fred Harbinson, the team’s head coach, general manager and president. “It was a difficult decision, but our staff felt we needed to add to our blue line if we wanted to take a serious run at a third-straight championship.”
Murray signed with the Vees in June after spending parts of the last two seasons with the Wenatchee Wild, formerly of the BCHL. An injury limited the Manhattan Beach, Calif. product to just seven games in 2023-2024.
“To add a proven top four quality defenceman, we had to give up a proven forward in Parker Murray,” said Harbinson. “Parker will provide scoring to Chilliwack and a great presence in their locker room.”
Sorace, meanwhile, comes to Penticton after spending the last three years with the Chiefs. The 19-year-old has 30 points in 85 career regular season games.
“Lucas will provide us a stable physical presence to our back end,” Harbinson said.
The Port Moody, B.C. product has played in just five games with Chilliwack this season, after recovering from an injury sustained in BCHL Playoffs last spring.
Sorace will join the Vees this week and wear No. 44.
Penticton hosts Merritt at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Wednesday night, Dec. 6.
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