The Port Moody Panthers have added a veteran presence to their blue-line.
The Panthers have acquired 19-year-old Coquitlam product Daniel DelBianco from the Delta Ice Hawks in exchange for future considerations.
DelBianco played 16 games in the Pacific Junior Hockey League with Delta last season, posting two goals and four assists. He also got into two games with the BCHL Fred Page Cup champion Surrey Eagles as an affiliate player.
The 5'11", 181-lb. defenceman spent the 2011-12 season with the BCHL Trail Smoke Eaters and Alberni Valley Bulldogs, tallying three goals and four assists and 36 penalty minutes in 52 games.
"We're thrilled to add a veteran presence like Daniel to our blue-line for this season," said Panthers GM and head coach Jamie Jackson. "With the amount of experience he has at the junior level, we expect Daniel to be a stabilizing force on and off the ice, and a big part of our leadership group this season."
The Panthers will head to Vancouver Island this weekend for an exhibition series with the Campbell River Storm.
The Panthers wrap up their exhibition season next weekend, facing off against the Abbotsford Pilots Saturday night in Port Moody before heading to Burnaby Sunday to take on the Grandview Steelers.
Express brush back Chiefs
The Coquitlam Express got their first win of the BCHL exhibition season Tuesday night, downing the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-3 in Hope.
The Express lineup included new additions Matthew Barry-Lamontagna (West Kelowna Warriors) and Joey Santucci (Prince Albert Raiders). Santucci, Jackson Cressey, Nic Beaudin, Daniell Lange and Colton Kerfoot provided the Coquitlam offence.
The Express wrap up their pre-season schedule Friday night (8:00) against the Powell River Kings at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
