The Nanaimo Clippers have made no changes at the BCHL trade deadline. Coach and general manager Colin Birkas said he didn't want to move any player who helped the team get to first place in the Coastal Division. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Standing Pat

VIDEO: Clippers keep roster intact through BCHL trade deadline

Jan 11, 2023 | 11:58 AM

NANAIMO — The BC Hockey League’s trade deadline has come and done, with the Clippers staying silent.

The team did have an open roster spot but were unable to work out any transactions ahead of the Tuesday, Jan. 10 cutoff for Junior A teams.

Coach and general manager Colin Birkas said he wasn’t going to sacrifice the future for a short term player move.

“We did a lot of looking and tried to add a player to the roster but I made a commitment to the guys that they were here to stay. If I could have added a player I would, but not at the expense of the kids who got us here.”

Nanaimo’s first place roster will get a bump when veteran forward Nick Sajevic returns from a long term injury, likely in February.

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“He’s a player who’s going to back and be really good for us,” Birkas said. “He’s also a player that could be one of our top scorers next year. Sajevic is a top six player all day long.”

Birkas said the Clippers’ Coastal Division record made it easier to be patient and stand pat through the deadline.

“It was a good position to be in to just be able to cherry pick for that kid who might be a perfect fit. We wanted to add a depth piece that fits what we do character wise and process wise, that would be here for next season. After days of searching we just weren’t able to obtain that.”

Around the BCHL there weren’t any deals in the blockbuster category and Birkas didn’t believe any of the transactions he was aware of would significantly alter anyone’s roster.

The Clippers first game after the trade deadline is a key home ice showdown with the second place Surrey Eagles.

Nanaimo has a five point lead in the standings, but Surrey has won two of the previous three meetings.

The Friday, Jan. 13 clash will be their final meeting this season.

Nanaimo is also home to Langley on Sunday, Jan. 15.

CLIP NOTES:

With two goals against the Victoria Grizzlies in the Clippers last outing forward Willyam Gendron has five goals and eight points in his last five games.

The Clippers have split their last three weekends. The team has a record of 3-2-1 in the last six games, alternating wins and losses.

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