The Kamloops Storm is in the market for a goaltender.
The Storm, which returns to KIJHL action after a two-week break on Friday, announced Wednesday that it has traded goaltender Marcus Beesley to the Nelson Leafs. Kamloops received future considerations in return for the 20-year-old Prince George native.
“Finding a replacement for Beesley will be difficult and we have put out some feelers,” said Storm general manager Barry Dewar in a news release. “We believe our team remains a contender and with the return of some of our players from injury will be able to make a push as the playoffs approach.”
Beesley was in his second season with the Storm, after playing with the Leafs during the 2010-11 season. He went 9-3-0-0, with a .937 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average last season.
He has struggled to find similar success this season, going 10-15-2-0, 3.35, .915. Kamloops is 13-18-2-4 and fourth in the Doug Birks Division.
The Storm has 15 regular-season games remaining, starting with a Friday game against the Steam in Summerland. The only goaltender on Kamloops’ roster is 17-year-old Ty Hamer-Jackson, who is 3-3-0-0 with a 4.53 GAA and .875 save percentage.
Kamloops is scheduled to play host to the North Okanagan Knights on Saturday, 7 p.m., at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre. The Storm, which last played on Dec. 21, has lost 13 of its last 14 games.
