The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club has announced the acquisitions of defencemen Andrew Cordssen-David and Nick Minerva in a pair of trades that took place on the eve of training camp. Both moves were in exchange for future considerations.
Cordssen-David, 19, split last season between Kirkland Lake of the NOJHL and Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL. The Montreal native posted 6 points in 34 QMJHL games, but his numbers in the NOJHL were even more impressive. He racked up 11 points in only 7 regular season games with Kirkland Lake, including 4 more in 10 playoff games. He is a veteran of 46 total QMJHL games, and is a graduate of the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s hockey program.
Minerva, 20, comes to the Eagles through a trade for his rights from the Virden Oil Capitals of the MJHL. He spent last season playing in the SIJHL for the Fort Frances Lakers. His numbers were jaw-dropping, amassing a total of 73 points in only 52 games – 21 of them were goals. His incredible offensive season, finishing second in SIJHL scoring among skaters, led to him receiving the honour of league’s top defenceman.
Head coach and general manager Blaine Neufeld stressed the importance adding offence from the back end, something which was lacking last season, but also the experience that these two players bring.
“Both of these players, their talent and skill level has been proven throughout their junior careers,” Neufeld explained. “It’s really the experience that we need to add to the group. They have a different attitude toward winning, and that’s what we hope they add to our culture.”
This is the second trade that the Eagles have made with the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners of the NOJHL. Goaltender Marc Audet, who was acquired earlier in the summer from the same team, will be reunited with Cordssen-David. They also played together with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans.
This late flurry of activity should put the finishing touches on an almost completely re-worked defensive core for the Eagles. Only three defencemen that appeared in games for the team last season are in attendance at training camp – Matthew Brown, Spencer Berry, and Tyler Cooper.
New assistant coach Riley Sweeney will have plenty of defensive talent to choose from, after the acquisition of Cordssen-David and Minerva – as well as the earlier recruitments of Hunter Donohoe, Elijah Vilio, Jackson Ross, and Jacob Dupont.
Competition for the likely seven defence spots on the team will be at an all-time high, according to Neufeld.
“As we move through camp, we’re realizing that we will have to make some difficult decisions. We now have an excess of talent, which makes us feel really good about our depth. It now feels like our D core has been solidified, so the battle at camp should be the highest that we’ve seen in a long time.”
Eagles training camp runs through August 27th – concluding with a scrimmage on Saturday at 6:30 PM at South Surrey Arena. Admission is free of charge, and fans are encouraged to come and check out the new roster. The Eagles will also be hosting one pre-season matchup, which takes place on Saturday, September 3rd at 7 PM against the Langley Rivermen. Admission for that game is also free.
The BCHL regular season officially opens for the Eagles on Friday, September 9th at 7 PM against the Coquitlam Express. Tickets are now on sale!
