There will be some new faces on the Coquitlam Express bench this week after the club added two players to its roster at the BCHL trade deadline.
On the blue line, the club added a veteran presence and some size when the team acquired Taylor Green from the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for future considerations.
The move to the Tri-Cities will be somewhat of a homecoming for the 19-year-old, who is originally from Port Coquitlam.
The 225 lbs., 6'7" defenceman also adds experience to the Express roster, having played 140 games in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Moose Jaw Warriors.
"His experience and presence in our line up will help solidify our defensive core," said Express coach Barry Wolff. "He is a quality, hard-working person and will fit well into our group."
Green was not the only addition on deadline day.
The team also added an offensive player by acquiring Thanvir Bandesha from the Orangeville Flyers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations.
Wolff said that Bandesha will hopefully fill in for Cody Body, who recently left the team to attend Canicus in the NCAA.
"Although [it's] hard to replace a player like Boyd, Bandesha will definitely fill that role," he said.
The Express lost a player when it sent Anthony Gardner to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for future considerations.
While Bandesha has yet to suit up for the Express, Green's debut came on Friday night in a 4-1 loss to the Penticton Vees at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
It was a rough weekend for the Express, who lost three in a row, including two more games on Vancouver Island.
The Vees jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period on Friday, with two power play goals from Lewis Zerter and Gabe Bast and an even-strength marker from Jack Ramsey.
Coquitlam's Brett Supinski made it 3-1 midway through the third period but Penticton's Tyson Jost restored the three goal lead with three minutes left in the game.
The Express didn't fair much better against the Nanaimo Clippers when the two teams faced off at the Frank Crane Arena on Saturday.
The visitors again surrendered some early goals, allowing the home team to take a 4-0 lead before getting on the scoreboard with a goal from Michael Merulla in the third period.
Supinski scored his second of the weekend but it was not enough to spur the Coquitlam club, which lost the game 5-2.
There was more trouble for Coquitlam on Sunday, when the team lost an afternoon match against the Victoria Grizzlies 5-3.
Victoria took a lead with goals from Brett Gruber and a power play marker from Matthew Kennedy, but Coquitlam made it 2-1 when Daniell Lange sank the puck past Victoria goalie Michael Stiliadis.
Supinski scored in the second period and teammate Owen Stout potted another, but the Express could not hold off the waves of Victoria forwards.
Bandesha is expected to join the team when they take on Powell River this Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
@GMcKennaTC
