Netminder Zach Bennett will join the Clippers this season. He had a 20-10 record with a 2.66 GAA in Selkirk of the MJHL in 2018-19 (Selkirk Steelers)

By Dan Marshall

Clippers Acquire Goalie

Clippers acquire goalie Zach Bennett from Selkirk

Aug 13, 2019 | 5:26 PM

NANAIMO – The Clippers bolstered their goaltending position Tuesday with the acquisition of veteran Zach Bennett from Selkirk of the MJHL.

Bennett, 18, was picked up in exchange for winger Hunor Torzsok and future considerations.

The deal serves two purposes for the Clippers.

One is to have as much depth and talent at every position as possible, the other is to ensure the team has their bases covered in case an injury to one of their current goalies leaves the Clippers short.

Coach Darren Naylor was cautious when discussing an undisclosed injury to one of his netminders.

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“One of our goalies was injured during dryland training and there’s a strong possibility he’s going to miss a substantial amount of time throughout the season. We wanted to make sure that we were covered in all positions.”

Naylor says Bennett is a veteran who has put up some good numbers in the MJHL.

That includes going 20-10 with a 2.66 goals against average in Selkirk last year.

“He really wanted to come west. It was a good opportunity for him to come out here and play and show his stuff.”

Hunor Torzsok spent parts of the past two seasons with the Clippers, scoring five points in 26 games in the 18-19 campaign.

Torzsok has also spent time in the Western Hockey League and Naylor confirmed the 19-year-old still has major junior aspirations, which includes an invite to a WHL camp.

The Clippers now have Bennett, Jordan Naylor, and Blake Wood vying for their goaltending jobs.

Depending on the severity of the injury to one of their current netminders Nanaimo may be forced to keep three goalies in the short or possibly long term.

There will be other goaltending hopefuls at main training camp as well.

Naylor said the Clippers expect to have five full teams at the start of camp before the pair down for the exhibition schedule and the BCHL season opener on September 6^th.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77