Thats all thats needed to know why the Richmond Sockeyes did little on the Pacific International Junior Hockey Leagues roster deadline last Thursday.
Richmond did add some depth and toughness to its blueline by acquiring 18-year-old Eben Norman from the North Delta Devils for future considerations.
The rest of the line-up will remain intact as the Sockeyes steam towards next months playoffs, riding an eight game win streak that included victories this past week over North Vancouver (8-1) and North Delta (3-1).
General manager Richard Petrowskys work was done well before last week. Back in November, he added needed experience to the back end by acquiring local product Adam Nishi and Trevor Stack. The offence then received a significant boost when the clubs 2010-11 leading scorer Jake Roder opted to take a semester off from the University of Victoria and rejoin the Sockeyes for his final year of eligibility.
Roders return coincides with Richmonds current win streak. He has compiled 16 points, including eight goals, over that stretch.
Our significant moves were adding Stack, Nishi and Roder, said Petrowsky. Thats three pretty big guys to put into your line-up. Jake wanting to come back was a pleasant surprise and I knew what he was capable of.
Roder gives the Sockeyes a whopping eight forwards who are averaging a point-per-game or more, which is easily the most scoring depth in the PIJHL. It also means a nightmare for opponents when it comes to line match-ups.
We like where we are right now, added Petrowsky, who also filled a void in net earlier this season when he picked up William Lattimer from Aldergrove after Payton Lee joined the Vancouver Giants on a full-time basis.
Norman, listed at 6-foot-4 and 195-pounds, had a team leading 87 penalty minutes with the Devils. His size and toughness will be an asset, especially if the Sockeyes meet the defending PIJHL champions Delta Ice Hawks yet again in the post-season.
Richmond returns to action Thursday when North Delta visits Minoru Arena at 7:30 pm.
Icing...
-Goaltender Kootenay Alder, defenceman Dominic Centis and forwards Jeremy Hamaguchi, Daniell Lange, Sam Chichak and Dean Allison suited up for the Tom Shaw Conference Team in Mondays PIJHL All-Star Game.
-The line of Hamaguchi, Thorsteinson and Roder had a big night against North Vancouver, combining for 12 points. Hamaguchi had a hat trick, while Thorsteinson added a goal and four assists.
