Natives ship Pace to River Miners

Details

Published on Thursday, January 9, 2014

By: Lanny Stewart

myWestman.ca

The Neepawa Natives traded their captain Ryley Pace to the Superior International Junior Hockey League's English River Miners on Thursday for future considerations.

Injuries have caused the 20-year-old blueliner to play in only 14 games with Neepawa this season.

After returning to the Natives lineup from a torn MCL (medial collateral ligament) late November, Pace found himself sidelined once again after getting hit from behind in a game on Dec. 4 against the OCN Blizzard.

"It's very tough leaving the club and my teammates and emotional for leaving my billet family," said Pace. "But that's part of the junior hockey career and I now get to go back to my hometown and play in front of family and friends.

"I can't explain how frustrating this season has been for me with the injuries I've had," he continued. "Not the way I planned my last season of junior hockey to go."

"Pace was moved back to his hometown to be closer to family for personal reasons," said Natives general manager Myles Cathcart. "He was a good soldier for us for almost three years."

Pace, from Red Lake, Ont., has two assists and 14 penalty minutes this season with the Natives. This was Pace's third season with the club.

The move comes one day before the Manitoba Junior Hockey League trade deadline.

In photo: Ryley Pace

Photo submitted