The Delta Ice Hawks are hoping a mid-season injection of youth will help close the gap between themselves and the Richmond Sockeyes for top spot in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League.
The Ice Hawks have sacrificed some of their experience to add four new players to the line-up in the past 10 days.
The club released veteran goaltender Doug Birks and replaced him with South Delta Minor Hockey alumni Alex Anhert who made his debut in the Ice Hawks' 8-5 win over Ridge Meadows on Tuesday night. The 18-year-old stopper was acquired from the North Delta Devils in exchange for 20-year-old forward Sam Vikich who had produced 18 points in 21 games.
Birks had become expendable with the emergence of rookie Glenn Ferguson as the team's number one stopper.
"It didn't make a lot of sense for Doug to be a back-up in his final year of junior hockey," explained Peter Zerbinos, the Ice Hawks director of hockey operations.
"At the same time, we are almost certain to lose Glenn to the B.C. Hockey League next season. Alex is a South Delta kid who could be back with us."
Another 18-year-old local product making an impact is forward Grange Gordon, recently acquired from the Grandview Steelers. The Ladner native had a three point night against Ridge Meadows, including a pair of goals. He now has three goals in four games Delta after scoring once in 10 with the Steelers.
Also making an instant impression are 17-year-old twins Spencer and Scott McHaffie who have combined for 10 points in three straight wins since joining Delta.
To make room for the newcomers, injured veteran forward David Kemp was moved to the inactive list, while the club is still carrying two additional forwards and one extra defenceman. Zerbinos insists the moves weren't made to specifically make the team younger but rather were part of an ongoing process.
"(Head coach) Dave (McLellan) sit down after each game and grade our players," he said. "This is about helping make us a better hockey team. "Carrying extra players is also going to create a competitive environment within the club."
Four straight wins have pulled the Hawks within four points of the Sockeyes with the defending champs still enjoying two games in hand. The teams will meet next Thursday in Richmond. Delta also visits Port Moody on Saturday night and hosts North Vancouver on Tuesday.
