Nanaimo bolstered their roster with the additions of Luca Grabas from Chilliwack of the BCHL and Blake Power from Port Alberni of the VIJHL. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Trading Places

Clippers add two forwards at BCHL trade deadline

Jan 11, 2022 | 6:48 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers added depth to their roster for the stretch drive of the BCHL season.

Forwards Luca Grabas and Blake Power were brought in ahead of the Monday, Jan. 10 trade deadline.

Head coach and general manager Darren Naylor said the organization were tracking both players for some time now.

“Luca plays with edge. He’s hard on the puck and an energy guy. Blake has skated with us before and he’s been a part of our spring program in the past. When the moment came to make him a part of the Clippers, we did it.”

Grabas has played 35 games with the Chilliwack Chiefs the past two seasons.

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The 18-year-old already knows several of his new teammates which should allow for a smooth transition into the Nanaimo lineup.

“Some of the guys have already reached out to me,” Grabas said. “I’ve played with Tristan Fraser and Ben Kotylak before and I work out in the summer with Sean Donaldson and Alek Sukunda. They’ve made me feel really welcome here.”

Power is aware he’ll have to prove himself.

At 17 years old with a November 2004 birthday, he is the youngest player on the team but Power said he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’m happy to get this opportunity and being close to home (Port Alberni) it’s pretty special. I know I’m going to have less time with the puck at this level so I’ll need to keep my head and always make the smart play.”

The new Clippers are set to join their teammates after the hockey club comes out of a five day pause for COVID-19 protocols on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Two games were postponed but Naylor said his players have been through a lot since March 2020 and they are handling this latest adversity very well.

“There’s been some obstacles but at the end of the day the games are still scheduled and we’re going to get to play them. Mental health wise these guys are really prepared and they’re ready for anything.”

Nanaimo is scheduled to take on the Langley Rivermen in their first home game of 2022 on Friday, Jan. 14.

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