Head Coach/GM Brandon Benedict was hard at work in advance of the MHL Trade Deadline this week. The team has landed a pair of top players at both ends of the ice to further bolster this lineup as a bonafide contender heading down the stretch.
The first deal was made with the South Shore Lumberjacks, bringing in powerful forward Riley Spears. The Wildcats gave up prospects Ethan Vallis, Luke Foster and a 2023 first round pick in the deal. Riley comes to the Valley as one of the top forwards in the MHL and has been a major contributor over the last two seasons. He posted 18 goals and 27 points overall in 30 games in 2020-21. His current statline has the veteran scoring 8 goals and 7 assists in 22 games played this season. This is a big addition to an already potent scoring punch up front.
The second was a major splash for the defense as the Wildcats acquired d-man Philippe Casault from the Fredericton Red Wings in exchange for prospect Crosby Andrews, a 2022 second round draft pick and future considerations. This deal brings in a 20 year-old veteran with two seasons of Major Junior experience with the Rimouski Oceanic. As a former team Captain with Fredericton, Casault brings elite leadership and ability to the table. His two-way play and high-end skillset is a major addition to the Wildcats lineup. Expect to see Philippe out there for big minutes in the second half of the season.
This amps up the already building excitement over the pending return to play. Big things are brewing in Berwick, stay tuned!!