Gavin Schmidt has answered the Prince George Cougars’ distress call.
The 17-year-old forward has been called into service for tonight’s game against the Kelowna Rockets as an emergency injury replacement and has signed a WHL standard player agreement with the Cougars, the team that selected him in the 10th round of the 2019 WHL draft.
“Gavin has had a terrific start to his season in Okotoks and has taken on a leadership role on his under-18 team,” said Cougars’ director of scouting Bob Simmonds. “He is a strong competitor and is a player you can play in multiple roles. He is a great addition to our depth upfront.”
Schmidt, a five-foot-11, 160-pound native of De Winton, Alta., plays in the Alberta Elite Hockey League for the Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers U-18 triple-A team and is tied for the team lead in points with seven (one goal, six assists) in 11 games. He’s also played one game in the AJHL for the Okotoks Oilers.
The Cougars lost 5-2 to the Rockets Friday night at CN Centre and the loss proved especially costly when defenceman Bauer Dumanski and forwards Caden Brown and Fischer O’Brien were all injured during the game. They were already without winger Kyren Gronick, who was hurt during Wednesday’s game at CN Centre against the Vancouver Giants
Tonight’s game is the first of the Cougars’ Mega 50-50 draws, with one lucky ticket holder guaranteed to win at least $40,000. Tickets for the draw, which goes to support the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, will be sold at the game or on through the team website, www.pgcougars.com.
