St. Stephen – The St. Stephen Aces have fortified the blue-line, with the addition of free agent, Avery Belcourt.
Belcourt, 18, from Edmonton, is slated to play in the next Aces home game on Friday.
Aces head coach, and assistant general manager, Josh Hepditch identified Belcourt as “a very smooth, puck moving, d-man.
“He is more of a two-way player who sees the ice very well, and is great at jumping into the play.”
Belcourt was injured during major junior training camp with the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades. He is fully recovered, and game ready.
“He has a great skill set, and is really excited to join our team and be back on the ice,” Hepditch said.
Belcourt spent last season with the Maple Leaf Athletic Club Maple Leafs Midget AAA in Edmonton.
He attended Brooks Bandits training camp last year, and affiliated with the Drumheller Dragons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League – a junior A league.
“I think Avery will fit in very well with our team, as we want to play a high-tempo, fast-paced game. He has the skating ability and puck skills to play that type of game.”
Hepditch said Belcourt comes to the Aces with solid reviews from the general managers in Saskatoon, and Drumheller.
“He comes highly recommended as a player and a person.”
The Aces are slated to host the Amherst Ramblers Friday, and the Cambellton Tigers Saturday. Both games have a scheduled puck drop of 7 p.m. at the Garcelon Civic Center.