One of the top goaltenders in the Canadian Junior Hockey League will be between the pipes for the Coquitlam Express when they open their B.C. Hockey League season this weekend in Chilliwack.
The Express acquired 20-year-old Gordy Defiel from the Brooks Bandits in exchange for goalie Daniel Urbani, forward Garrett Forster and defenceman Bryce Eviston, who the Express just obtained from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for future considerations.
"We wanted to get a veteran guy and he's got a ton of experience," said Express coach Barry Wolff about the 2013 finalist for the CJHL goalie of the year award. "He played for a team in Minnesota that went to the Royal Bank Cup and Brooks beat them in the semifinal."
Brooks acquired Defiel earlier in the off season from the Minnesota Wilderness, where he compiled a 25-1-2 record while leading all CJHL goalies with a 1.39 goals against average, .945 save percentage and eight shutouts. Defiel set single-season records for goals against average and save percentage for the Superior International Junior Hockey League, being named that league's top goaltender.
Defiel's prowess in net will be a welcome addition to a Coquitlam team that has struggled to find an offensive spark in the preseason. The Express wrapped up their preseason with a 3-1 loss to the Powell River Kings Friday night at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre. Coquitlam scored more than one goal only once on their way to a 1-3 preseason record.
"We had lots of shots but we didn't think we went to the net hard enough," said Wolff of Friday's game. "We outshot them by 20-something. But scoring one goal, that's not enough."
Defenceman Marc Biega hit Nic Beaudin with a 130-foot pass to send him in all alone for Coquitlam's only goal.
The regular season opens with the Bauer BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack. The Express will take on the Merritt Centennials Friday at 4 p.m. before facing the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday at 11 a.m.
"They know there's going to be a ton of scouts there and then the families come so that's a distraction," said Wolff of the Showcase. "They'll be excited but we have to remember it's just two regular games, other than they're oddball times for us. We just need to play it like any other game and at the end of the day two points is what we need."
