Just seven weeks into the 2022-23 BCHL season, Liam Steele finds himself part of a three-player trade.
As per the Chilliwack Chiefs official press release:
The Chilliwack Chiefs have traded Liam Steele and Casy Laylin to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for Nathan Morin and future considerations.
“This was a really tough day for our organization. Obviously, we need to be better in all areas and are working hard to improve our club. We want to wish Casy and Liam the best, they are two wonderful kids who have done a great job for us. Situationally, this is a deal that makes sense for the Chilliwack Chiefs,” said Head Coach and General Manager Brian Maloney. “We made a decision that benefits all parties, and we are extremely excited to bring Nathan Morin into our lineup. He brings speed, skill, and offensive instincts that will be a welcome addition to our team. We feel good about the moves we have made this week to improve our hockey club.”
Associate Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Brad Rihela echoed Maloney’s feelings.
“We are very excited to add Nathan Morin to our team. He brings a lot of elements that should help our group immediately. That being said, we want to wish Casy and Liam all the best in Salmon Arm. We want to sincerely thank them for all their time and efforts both on and off the ice during their time in Chilliwack,” said Rihela.
Steele had played in ten of the Chiefs’ fourteen games this season but wasn’t selected for three consecutive games before being traded (I’ve since been informed that he was injured).
A first BCHL goal for Chilliwack will be a moment to treasure but a move to a new team in a different league doesn’t always work out.
This is how the trade was reported by Steele’s new team.
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have traded F Nathan Morin to the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for F Casy Laylin, and D Liam Steele.
Steele is in his first season in the BCHL. He played 10 games and had 2 points for the Chiefs. Before this season he spent time playing with Stanstead College (CAHS). The 6’5″ Defenceman is committed to Cornell University.
“With [Dylan] Anderson leaving our group last week, and an opportunity to add a defenseman like Liam, we thought it would benefit our group,” stated Silverbacks General Manager, Brooks Christensen. “We were very fond of his play when watching him last year and believe he can come in and contribute to our back end.”
(edited for clarity)
So just who are the Salmon Arm Silverbacks?
Salmon Arm is a city in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District of the Southern Interior of the Canadian province of British Columbia
Its name derives from Salmon Arm’s place along Shuswap Lake.
The lake has four “arms.”
Shuswap Arm in the west, Seymour Arm in the north, Anstey Arm in the northeast, and Salmon Arm in the south, named after the large runs of salmon that used to run up the creeks that empty into the lake.
A quick google search will reveal a stunningly beautiful location. Honestly, it’s worth a look.
The Silverbacks are the second incarnation of a BCHL team in the area.
The previous team was known as the Totems, Blazers, and Tigers from 1982-1989, before ceasing operations.
Founded in 2001, the Silverbacks’ colours are a combination of purple, silver, black and white.
Home is the Shaw Arena, with a capacity of 1500 and two NHL ice sheets.
They compete in the Interior Division, a switch for Steele as Chilliwack is based in the Coastal Division.
Salmon arm is yet to win a championship but has made the play-off for the past five seasons.
Alumni include Travis Zajac (NJD, NYI), Taro Hirose (Detroit), Josh Manson (Colorado), Nick Hutchison, Riley Nash, Trevin Kozlowski and Chase Priskie.
General Manager is Brooks Christensen but the current Head Coach might be a familiar name to some UK hockey fans.
At the relatively tender age of 32, Tyler Shattock holds the reigns behind the bench for Salmon Arm in what is his third season in charge.
He’s been with the club since 2018-19, previously holding the combined role of Assistant GM and Assistant Coach.
Shattock’s playing career was spent split between the AHL and ECHL. His final season was spent in the UK with Braehead Clan for whom he recorded 28 points in thirty-nine games.
The 2022-23 season is well underway and Salmon Arm has made an excellent start.
The team sits fourth in the Division with an overall record of 9-5-1 and is in good form having won six of their last eight games.
The only regulation defeat in that span was against West Kelowna Rockets, a team who have won twelve of their sixteen games.
Impressive but unable to match Penticton Vees who are perfect through sixteen games and have only been taken to overtime twice.
There won’t be an opportunity for the Great Britain defenseman to face his old team during the regular season.
Salmon and Chilliwack met last weekend for the lone occasion this year, with the former coming out on top.
Reading between the lines, it’s fair to assume a deal was put together by both parties at that time.
The #3 is free for Liam Steele to don when he suits up for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
According to Elite Prospects, there are seven defensemen (Steele is yet to be added) on the roster due to the absence of Dylan Anderson (Vancouver Giants).
In what is an important year for Steele’s development and future prospects, let us hope that he can get his season back on track.
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