Two players are switching places in the Okanagan after a trade between a pair of BCHL rivals.
The West Kelowna Warriors sent 19-year-old Matt Kowalski to the Vernon Vipers today in exchange for 18-year-old Austin Chorney.
Chorney, a defenseman, has played 15 games with the Vipers this season after spending last year with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The Abbotsford native posted six goals and four assists in 51 games from the Silverbacks backend last season.
“By acquiring Austin Chorney, we believe our defence core is now more well-rounded and we as a team are better prepared to win in the playoffs,” said Geoff Grimwood, Warriors’ GM and coach.
“Austin is a player our staff has been keen on for quite a while and we are excited to be able to acquire a player of his caliber.”
Heading to the North Okanagan in the deal is Kowalski, a forward, who was in the middle of his second season with the Warriors.
The Vernon native will be returning to his hometown with five goals and eight assists in 19 games so far this season.
Those numbers come after he served a four-game suspension to start the campaign.
“It’s never easy to trade a player like Matt Kowalski with the speed and skill he possesses,” said Grimwood.
“But in order to acquire a player like Austin Chorney, we had to part with a player that matches the value to the team he is on.”
The Warriors are back in action tonight against the Penticton Vees in the South Okanagan, while the Vipers visit Trail to play the Smoke Eaters on Wednesday.
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