Colton Kitchen has travelled a great deal for his junior hockey career and now finds himself in a new home for his senior season.
The Prince George product was traded yesterday (June 8) to Nanaimo from the Victoria Grizzlies in exchange for future considerations, making the Clippers the fourth BCHL franchise he’ll play for on his resume.
In fact, after spending all of 2018-19 in Chilliwack, the defenceman suited up for three different franchises last year including one game in Drumheller, Alta. and 14 in Penticton before being traded to the provincial capital for 23 games.
Darren Naylor, Head Coach and Vice-President of the Clippers, says Kitchen’s skills caught his eye when facing their Island-Division rivals last year.
“When he came available, I jumped on the opportunity as I believe he will be a key part of our defence core this year,” he says in a team release.
“He is a mobile defenceman and reads the layers well. He has a great attitude, is liked by his teammates and is easy to coach.”
While with the Cariboo Cougars, Kitchen cooked up 15 points in 44 games between 2016 and 2018.
Since the start of his junior ‘A’ career, the D.P. Todd graduate has amassed 15 points in 82 total games between the B.C. and Alberta leagues.
Kitchen is also a former 2016 WHL Bantam Draft pick of the then Kootenay Ice, selected 177th overall in the ninth round.
