Garin Ludwig (left) is one of two Clippers defencemen who played for the first time in Nanaimo colours on the Sept. 27 and 28 weekend. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

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NANAIMO — On the Clippers home opening weekend the team debuted a pair of new defencemen.

Garin Ludwig and Nathan Larioza both played significant minutes in games against Chilliwack and Powell River on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 respectively.

Ludwig played in the USHL with Green Bay last season and already has a commitment to Michigan State University. He was attracted to the play in the BCHL and also being closer to his home in Alaska.

“It’s a big draw coming to Nanaimo, being on the island, it’s a lot closer to home for sure. The scenery is similar to back home and I’m excited to be here.”

With the Clippers losing key blueliners in Brett Merner and Matt Lahey in the offseason, the hope is Ludwig can provide some offense from the back end.

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“I like to pride myself on being a puck mover more than anything. I like to make quick transition plays and then jump up and follow the forwards. Once we’re in the offensive zone that’s when I like to have a little fun.”

Larioza has an NCAA commitment to Colgate University after playing in the Culver Military Academy program last season.

The 18-year-old year is looking to round out his game with the Clippers.

“I think this is going to help me develop as a person and as a player,” Larioza said. “We have a really good group of guys and coaches who can help me grow.”

Larioza will bring a defence first mentality to the club.

“I’m a two way defenceman. I like shutting plays down and making big hits when I can. I do have an offensive side to me and I think I can really bring that out here.

Ludwig, Larioza and the rest of the team suffered a 4-1 setback to the Chilliwack Chiefs in the Clippers home opener but came out with a big 7-3 win the next night against the Powell River Kings.

Larioza had an assist in the victory over the Kings.

The Clippers are in for a busy week with a 4-1 road loss already in the books on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in Langley.

They’ll play in Surrey on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and have a home date with the Victoria Grizzlies on Friday, Oct. 4.

CLIP NOTES:

In Nanaimo’s 7-3 win over the Kings 10 different players hit the score sheet.

The Clippers game against Surrey on Wednesday has ben moved back 45 minutes. The game will now start at 7:45 p.m.

The Clippers also saw the debut of forwards Makaio Van Tassel and Patrick Fortune in their recent home games. Fortune scored in his Clipper debut against Chilliwack while Van Tassel played only 20 minutes in that game after suffering an undisclosed injury.

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