Braedy Euerby and Clayton Schroeder wasted no time in making an impression with their new team.
Euerby turned aside 20 shots and Schroeder chipped in with a goal and an assist as the Richmond Sockeyes doubled the White Rock Whalers 4-2 on Saturday night at Centennial Arena.
Both players were acquired in separate deals completed on Friday to address a couple of areas following an up-and-down November that resulted in a 4-4-0-1 record.
The Sockeyes parted ways with reigning Pacific Junior Hockey League rookie-of-the-year Marcus Pantazis to acquire Euerby from the Delta Ice Hawks. The 17-year-old Vancouver Giants prospect had joined the Ice Hawks three weeks ago with the idea of getting playing time while still working with Giants goaltending coach Paul Fricker in the same building.
Delta already had depth in net with Jordy Engelson and Hunter Tarves. Meanwhile Richmond was down to only Jacob Stone on the roster after an injury to Marcus Cumberworth. He has been re-assigned to midget rep once he has recovered.
The cost was significant in Pantazis who had 27 points in 25 games but had seen his role reduced in recent games.
“We had a situation where a goalie was out and we couldn’t keep riding with an AP as a back-up after doing it for about three weeks. There was an opportunity to pick-up a goalie and we thought it was an upgrade and we went ahead and proceeded,” explained Sockeyes GM Richard Petrowsky.
“It was time for a change (with Marcus). That’s all it was.”
Schroeder, 19, was acquired from the Aldergrove Kodiaks for future considerations. He had seven points in 21 games, including four goals, but the hope his he can re-gain the form of the past two seasons when he scored 19 and 20 goals respectively. He is re-united with his former minor hockey teammate Ryleigh Anderson.
“He brings a lot of grit. A lot of hard work and he is a good skater,” added Petrowsky. “He can put the puck in the net and gets to play with his old buddy again.”
Garrett Wicks, Gabriel Parent and Hayden Hurst had the other Sockeyes who still have a number of players out with injuries.
Richmond returns to action Thursday when the Langley Trappers visit Minoru at 7 p.m.
