By Dan Marshall

Clippers add forward Tristan Crozier in trade with Grande Prairie Storm

Sep 7, 2016 | 7:50 PM

NANAIMO — With two days left before the BCHL season, Nanaimo Clippers Head Coach and General Manager Mike Vandekamp has executed a swap of Junior A forwards.
 
Tristan Crozier, the top returning scorer of the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm, has been acquired for DJ Petruzzelli.
 
Crozier was Grande Prairie’s Rookie of the Year two seasons ago, and had seven goals and 24 assists in 34 games in the 2015-16 campaign.
 
Petruzzelli had an injury shortened rookie season last year and overall counted six points in 21 games.
 
When Crozier heard about the trade was excited for the opportunity to join the Clippers.
 
“I was ecstatic,” said Crozier.  “It was great news, for myself and my family.”

 
The new addition points to the Clippers not being happy with an 0-5 preseason, and not all of the roster decisions have been made yet.
 
Coach Vandekamp confirmed there are extra players with the team this week, and he notes that his returning players will have to assume bigger roles than they ever have in the past.
 
“There’s lots of scenarios around our team, we have players playing their first ever Junior game on Friday night,” said Vandekamp.  “We have guys that are also playing in situations that they probably haven’t played in at this level.  In fact, I would say almost every single player in our lineup is in a situation that they haven’t been in before.  I think you have to be patient with everybody.”
 
Vandekamp is looking forward to turning this group into a winning team. 
 
He says it may be the youngest Junior A team he’s ever coached, and certainly it’s a more inexperienced club than the Clippers have had over the past two seasons.
 
Nanaimo opens the BCHL season at home on Friday against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
 
Puck drop is at 7pm.