The Blades received a pleasant surprise with the return of defenceman Craig Spence.
The overage defenceman was traded to the Walkerton Capitals of the Pollock Division, along with forward Austin Drew, during the summer – work for Spence and school for Drew.
Spence, however, was transferred back to the area and the teams reworked the deal to get the 21-year-old Chatham native back in a Blades uniform.
Spence started the season on the injured list as he played in 15 games, scoring four goals and assisting on 13 others as provided a much-needed veteran presence on the young blueline from his Junior ‘A’ and ‘B’ experience.
He was one of the main cogs on defense for the 2021-22 GOJHL Western Conference champion Chatham Maroons before deciding to come to the Blades last season so he could get an additional season of junior hockey as a more overage, as the PJHL provides an additional year than the ‘B” level.
The Blades officially opened camp on Monday evening and will play an exhibition game this Sunday night against Walpole Island Wild at 7 p.m. at the Rec Centre.
Story Credit to Blenheim News Tribune