Whitecourt, AB – The Whitecourt Wolverines have acquired defenceman Nick Quillan (’96), goaltender Pierce Diamond (’98) and future considerations from the Lloydminster Bobcats in exchange for forward Cory Santoro (’96), defenceman Jamieson Ree (’97), goaltender Josh Dechaine (’98) and future considerations.
“We were able to put together the framework of a deal that would help them in terms of quantity and help us in terms on quality,” said Wolverines General Manager Gord Thibodeau on the trade. “We needed a powerplay defenseman, that was something on our search list and Nick certainly fits that bill and to be able to add Pierce it gives us depth at goaltending.”
Quillan, who hails from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is committed to play for Colgate University (NCAA, Div I) starting September of 2017. In his first year in the AJHL last year he scored 9 goals and added 22 assists during the regular season while recording 5 points in 12 playoff games. For his efforts last year he was named to the AJHL’s North Division All-Rookie team. During this past year’s RBC Cup he suited up in all 6 of the Bobcats games picking up a goal and an assist.
“The one key to his game is that he can really hit the puck; especially a one-timer,” Thibodeau added about Qullian. “He’s got a good hard deceptive shot, he can get the puck through and that’s the key. He’s an offensive type defenceman who loves to join the rush but he also made a lot of strides defensively this year and he’s a guy who really fits something we need at this stage.”
The Edmonton, Alberta native Diamond joins the Wolverines after spending last season as the backup behind AJHL Goalie of the Year runner-up Alex Leclerc. During the 2015/2016 season he went 13-4-0 with a 2.66 goals against average and a .886 save percentage. Like Quillan, he too was named to the AJHL’s North Division All-Rookie team.
“Pierce had what he would probably classify as an up and down year where in the first half there were some great moments and being a young 17 year-old had some tough games also,” Thibodeau noted. “I really like the way he came around in the second half, I thought that he showed a lot of mental toughness fighting through what was a difficult position backing up an RBC host. One thing I know about him is that he’s a really great athlete and he’s a kid who has had some great success in the past.”
The Wolverines open training camp August 26th at the Scott Safety Centre. Season tickets for the upcoming season are available for purchase by contacting the team office at (780)778-5566 or by emailing marketing@whitecourtwolverines.com
