Following Friday's 5-2 loss against the West Kelowna Warriors, Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson made a deal to bolster his defense.
The Vees acquired 20-year-old Thomas Nitsche from the Langley Rivermen for future considerations. According to a release by the Vees, to make room for Nitsche, the Vees sent rookie defenseman Nathan Deyell to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for future considerations.
Harbinson said Nitsche is the type of player needed to win games when they matter.
“As we get ready for the stretch drive we realize that our division once again will be a battle every night to get through," Harbinson said in the release. "Thomas brings a veteran physical presence that you cannot have enough of come playoff time.”
Nitsche was in his second season with the Rivermen and his first as Langley’s captain. In 27 games, Nitsche tallied one goal and seven points to go with 45 penalty-minutes. In 82 career games with the Rivermen, the Charlotte, North Carolina native has amassed five goals and 26 points. Nitsche, six-foot-three, 203 pounds, known more for his play without the puck.
Nitsche is committed to Colgate University Raiders for next fall and made his Vees debut against the Warriors on Saturday.
Deyell, 17, was in his first season in the BCHL and with the Vees. The Vancouver native was held pointless in 22 games in a depth roll on defence.
During the 5-2 loss, the Vees played with five defenceman as Rob Mann is out after re-aggravating his injury as reported on the Vees blog. The Vees now have five 20 year-olds on their roster after the trade, one under the BCHL maximum of six.