Princeton, BC - July 18, 2013
Outside of contacting and evaluating the current roster, General manager Bill Rotheisler’s next items on the priority list were to sign local product Kraig Leochko and popular free agent defenseman Brandon Schaber.
Leochko, 19 played last season for the Posse, Winfield Juvenile and two games for the Princeton Midgets. From 2010 to 2012 he played for the South Okanagan Midget Rep Team (Osoyoos), 2009 to 2010 for the Princeton Midget Rep and 2008 to 2009 for the South Okanagan Bantam Rep team. All previous years were spent with Princeton Minor Hockey.
“It is tough to explain the value that Kraig brings to this team, dressing room and the community” Assistant Coach Dave Clare, who was with the club last year commented on the addition. Clare continued, “He has worked extremely hard in the off season and is starting this year in great shape, it’s going to be exciting seeing him coming out of the gate this season as a full time member of the Posse.”
Schaber, 18, spent last season with the Penticton Lakers and was only available due to the agreement which allowed former Lakers players to opt to sign with another team, upon the Lakers sale to 100 Mile House. Schaber, originally from Alberta is known for his aggressive, physical play and being tough to play against. An attribute that will certainly be an advantage in the tight confines of the Princeton & District Arena.
Assistant Coach Mark McNaughton is excited to see Brandon in the red, white and black. “Brandon brings a true ‘meat and potatoes’ brand to the ice, and is somebody who plays with all of his heart. We tried to land him last year (in Comox) and inevitably lost out, glad to see us on the right end of the deal this time.” McNaughton continued on his recent evaluation of Brandon, “(We) seen him at a couple camps, and he looks strong and ready.”
When asked about the two new additions, General Manager and Head Coach Rotheisler summed it up with, “We are very excited to have these two players. These guys were an absolute priority to lock up, and to come out two for two is a positive step forward for our revamped organization. Both players’ style of play fit in to the design of this year’s team, and our team going forward, and are going to be big contributors in many ways to our dressing room and the community.”
The Posse open their main camp on August 28, with the Red & White game on August 29, followed by exhibition games in Summerland on August 30 and September 3, then at home against 100 Mile House on September 7. The Posse will round up their exhibition season the next day, at home on September 8 with the visiting team to be determined.