PHOTO: Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 8th, 2018
TRAIL, B.C. – The Trail Smoke Eaters Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the addition of defenseman Luke Gallagher (’00) from the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Gallagher, 18, has played the last two seasons with the Chiefs, including getting into 10 games in the 2016/17 season as an affiliate player. The 5’8”, 165-pound defender has tallied a goal and six assists for seven points in 66 career Western Hockey League games including a pair of assists this season in 22 contests.
The Mead, Washington native collected 13 goals and 37 points in 45 games with the Spokane Braves of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) before his time with the Chiefs. Gallagher has ties to the Smoke Eaters as he finished fourth in team scoring that season with current Smoke Eaters forward Carter Jones leading the Braves in scoring during the 2016/17 campaign.
In a corresponding move, the Smoke Eaters have placed defenseman Trevor Isaksson (’00) on the injured reserve list.
PHOTO: Garrett James/BCHL
The Smoke Eaters have also announced the team has traded forward Michael Hodge (’00) to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in exchange for future considerations.
Hodge, 18, is in his rookie season in the BC Hockey League and scored 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points in 35 games as a member of the Smoke Eaters. The Calgary, Alberta native registered 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 34 games with the Calgary Flames Midget AAA squad of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL) prior to his arrival in Trail.
The Smoke Eaters would like to welcome Luke and his family to the City of Trail and the Smoke Eaters organization while thanking Michael for his contributions to the team and city in his time in Trail and wish him the best in his future endeavours.
The Smoke Eaters will return home and look to keep their 2019 record perfect and aim for three wins in a row as they host the Nanaimo Clippers at the Trail Memorial Centre on Friday night. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM with tickets available at the Smoke Eaters Main Office as well as at the door ahead of the opening face-off.
