Hockey
New Additions For Giants
With the lack of recent success the Vancouver Giants have had, it was only a matter of time for player moves to be made.
Some might think it was a surprise, but to many in the hockey circles the move of Payton Lee to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft was a move in the works.
“We think this will be a welcome change for Payton that will allow him to have success,” said Giants Executive Vice President & General Manager Scott Bonner. “We thank him for his services with our club.”
Lee was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft playing 140 games over parts of five seasons posting a record of 52-71-5-4 along with a 3.39 GAA and a SV% of 0.885.
Along with this move they acquired (overage) goaltender Daniel Wapple from the Regina Pats in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.
He was solid in the period, stopping all eight shots that the Blazers fired at him, but with five minutes remaining in the second, the Blazers got one as Matt Needham beat Wapple high on the blocker side.
As a result of the trade, the Giants have also waived 20-year-old forward Taylor Crunk.
Giants Head Coach Lorne Molleken stated “We’re excited to welcome Daniel to our hockey club and he’s an accomplished goaltender at our level that has been a big part of Regina’s success over the last couple of years.”
He continued “He’s also a goalie that I believe gives you a chance to win each and every night and we (the Giants0 would also like to thank Taylor for his time with our club and wish him all the best going forward.”
Wapple (20) was a fourth round pick of the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. The Saskatoon native has played in 128 career WHL games split between the Pats, Warriors and Medicine Hat Tigers.
This season with Regina he has a record of 5-3-1-0 with a 3.20 GAA and a SV% of 0.907.
This game not only featured the new addition, but was Armed Forces night where they invited 95 year of Agnes Keegan to represent the Armed Forces at center ice for the opening face-off.
Along with her was WW11 vet and Honorary Commander Agnes Keegan, who was accompanied by Commissionaire Jamie Read and Major James Barrett.
This night saw the 50/50 draw in the amount of $2,544.00 go to the Mainland BC Military Family Resource Centre who was represented by Tracy Cromwell.
Thanks to the 7,314 fans that attended the game which included the “read to succeed” youngsters that attended.
Thanks to Jorge Parra of Underdog Productions for the photo’s from the game
