Sechelt's David Arduin is switching postal codes.
Arduin was dealt last Wednesday from the Vernon Vipers to the Trail Smoke Eaters for future considerations.
With three top centres returning, Arduin was the odd man out for Vernon this season.
Vipers general manager Troy Mick said it was a tough deal to make.
"It was more than anything a deal we had to make with regards to playing time," said Mick in a phone interview last Friday from Vernon.
"As a 19-year-old centreman we just wouldn't have enough ice time for David. My goal is to see all the players achieve their goals, get scholarships, whatever. We had to move David to give him a better chance to succeed. It was tough deal. David is a true Viper and a class act."
Arduin spoke with Coast Reporter last Friday to discuss the trade.
He said he was looking forward to putting on the Smoke Eaters' uniform, but also had mixed feelings about leaving Vernon.
"It's a first-class organization. I think that shows by how Troy handled this deal," said Arduin. "He called me at work a few weeks ago and told me how hard it was to make the call. We talked about the options and after about 10 minutes he told me to get him a list of teams I wanted to go to and he would try and make the deal."
Arduin took the rest of the day off, spending it in front of his computer scouting teams.
"I had great interviews with Prince George, Trail and Powell River," he said. "Prince George was appealing because they're hosting the nationals this year. Powell River is close to home and Trail was a good fit too. The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is the best junior league in Canada, probably in North America. I wanted to stay in B.C. Trail just hit me as the best fit. The coach was truly excited about bringing me in and giving me a chance to be a top-line centre. Their first priority was to give me a chance to get a scholarship. That's all they needed to say. Troy made the deal and I'm grateful for everything the Vipers did for me. Playing for that organization was an honour."
In his rookie season with the Vipers, Arduin battled through injury problems, scoring one goal and adding 11 assists in limited playing time. That came after scoring 32 goals and 79 points in just 46 games with the Campbell River Storm in 2004/05.
"David was one of the most sought after prospects in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League after leading the league in scoring in 2004/05," said Smokies coach/GM Tim Kehler. "We certainly feel that given the right opportunity, he will be able to replicate his scoring prowess in the BCHL."
Arduin is in Vancouver this week for the first of four weeks of conditioning with strength and training coach Peter Twist. Then it's off to Trail for training camp in mid-August.
"I've never been traded before, so it was a different experience," said Arduin. "I made a lot of connections in Vernon, but I'm excited to be in Trail. I'm looking forward to a great season."
