Eight and counting.
That's all that's needed to know why the Richmond Sockeyes did so little at the Pacific International Junior Hockey League's 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 month's playoffs, riding an eight game win streak that includes victories this past week over North Vancouver (8-1) and North Delta (3-1).
General manager Richard Petrowsky's 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 club's 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.
Roder's return coincides with Richmond's 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. "That's 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 Mission 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.
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 Monday's PIJHL All-Star Game. The Shaw all-stars scored 10 times in the third period to pull out a wild 17-13 victory
.The line of Hamaguchi, Rudi 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.
