The Creston Valley Thunder Cats of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) have announced the acquisition of forward James Severs from the Westshore Wolves of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL).
The deal, which sees the Thunder Cats send future considerations to the Wolves in exchange for Severs, was announced via press release May 27.
Severs, a 1996-born forward, split the 2014-15 campaign between his hometown Campbell River Storm and the Wolves.
“I’m excited to be a Thunder Cat and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization,” Severs said in a team press release. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the small-town junior hockey atmosphere and I’m hoping to be a part of bringing a championship to the Creston Valley.”
In 41 regular season games during the 2014-15 season, the 5-foot-10 forward tallied 21 goals and 51 points.
“He has all the tools to be a dominant player in the KIJHL,” said Jeff Dubois, Thunder Cats head coach and general manager, in a team press release. “He has a high skill level and a tremendous shot, plus he plays a heavy game and will bring added toughness to our forward group.”
In Dubois’ first season in Creston, the Thunder Cats finished 28-18-1-5, good enough for 62 points and a third-place finish in the competitive Eddie Mountain Division.
The Thunder Cats dropped a five-game, first-round playoff decision to the eventual league champion Kimberley Dynamiters.