By Taylor RoccaDaily Townsman Staff
Fernie Ghostriders head coach and general manager Craig Mohr added to his local contingent with the signing of three players on Monday, June 8.
Forwards Dalton Bouvier (1998), Jacen Richards (1998) and defenceman Trevor Broad (1998) — all natives of Sparwood — put ink to paper with the Ghostriders this past weekend.
Mohr described his excitement of adding the three new Elk Valley youngsters to his roster, noting the ability for them to grow and build as players within the Ghostriders franchise was a huge draw to their acquirement.
It was a bonus that all three of the players came from the Elk Valley — an opportunity Mohr jumped on as choice in a smaller rural market for players are slim.
Bouvier, Richards and Broad all previously played as affiliates with the Ghostriders during the last season and racked up quality time when their skates hit the ice.
Mohr described the trio as some of the best players to come out of the spring camp, making the decision to sign them that much easier.
From previously skating as affiliate players, the freshly-signed Sparwood trio will look to move into full-time roles with the squad for the 2015-16 KIJHL season.
Richards, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound left-winger, skated in six regular-season games with the Ghostriders last season, tallying one goal and two minutes in penalties. He also found his way into one playoff game, suiting up Feb. 25 during Fernie's first-round series against the Golden Rockets.
Bouvier, a 6-foot-1, 181-pound centre, suited up in one game for the Ghostriders during the 2014-15 campaign.
Broad, the lone rearguard of the bunch, stands 5-foot-11 and 154 pounds. He found his way into three games with the Ghostriders last season, registering two minutes in penalties.
The first opportunity for Bouvier, Richards and Broad to solidify their places in the Fernie Ghostriders lineup will come Aug. 28 to 30 when training camp opens at the Fernie Memorial Arena.