With the BCHL trade deadline looming the Clippers have added defenceman Alek Sukunda to the squad. Coach and general manager Darren Naylor is still actively trying to upgrade his roster by Jan. 10. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Going Shopping

VIDEO: Clippers add veteran defenceman and still looking upgrade by trade deadline

Jan 6, 2022 | 12:33 PM

NANAIMO — In the days leading up to the BCHL trade deadline the Clippers have added one player and hope to bring in some more talent.

Alek Sukunda, a 2001 born defenceman, has come to Nanaimo in a trade that saw short term Clipper Mateo Dixon land in Coquitlam.

Sukunda has missed several weeks of action due to injury and is looking forward to starting 2022 with his new team.

“Nanaimo was the hardest team to play against this year and they have a great group of boys so I’m just excited to get things going.”

The new blueliner traveled with the club to Coquitlam on Jan. 2 but wasn’t cleared to play in the Clippers 7-0 win. He has been given clearance to make his Clippers debut on Jan. 8 when the team plays in Alberni Valley.

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Coach and general manager Darren Naylor has had his eye on Sukunda for some time.

“I’ve been tracking him and wanting to get him. He’s a key piece for what we need on the back end. He gives us some size and experience.”

With the trade deadline approaching on Jan. 10 Naylor is still looking to add to his roster.

The coach said there has been a lot of talk behind the scenes.

“I would live to be able to add a top six forward, a 19-year-old with experience who could give us some minutes up the middle. If I could find another experienced defenceman I’d do that as well. The phones are heating up the last few days.”

The Clippers will get a boost to their offense with forward Keighan Gerrie expected to return before the end of January.

Gerrie was injured Nov. 5 and had eight points in his first 11 games of the season.

CLIP NOTES:

Nanaimo’s first home game of 2022 was scheduled to be Friday Jan. 7 against Langley. The game had to be postponed with the Rivermen entering the BCHL’s COVID-19 protocol. With the matchup being made up at a later date the Clippers first game at Frank Crane Arena in the new year is Wed. Jan 12 versus Victoria.

Tristan Fraser was named the BCHL’s second star of the week after a one goal and four assist performance against the Coquitlam Express on Jan. 2. The light of Fraser, Sean Donaldson and Max Itagaki combined for 11 points.

Also on Jan. 2 Sean Donaldson recaptured the BCHL goal scoring lead with his 24th and 25th goals of the season. Netminder Cooper Black also recorded his first BCHL shutout making 20 saves.

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