With training camp on the horizon the Kings have made multiple deals to acquire a goaltender for the upcoming season.
First the Kings traded 03′ forward Kaleb Nelson and future considerations to the Georgetown Raiders of the OJHL in exchange for 03′ forward Eric Bertelson. Then the team flipped Bertelson along with 02′ defenseman Nathan Small to the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL in exchange for 03′ goaltender Kyle Metson and future considerations.
The Belle River Ontario native put up stellar numbers in his inaugural season in the OJHL by putting up a 2.63 GAA and a .913 SV% to go along with a 21-5-1 record in 27 games, helping the Cougars to a division title.
With Matthias Smith on his way to the NCAA and Zak Brice heading to the NAHL there was a void in the crease that needed to be filled and with Metson having plenty of junior experience along with good numbers G.M. Chad Van Diemen knows Metson will be a great addition to the Kings “Kyle is coming off a strong season in Burlington and we feel he can come in and do a great job for us as a veteran goalie”
For Chad Van Diemen it was tough to trade two young talents in Nelson and Small, but with the team needing a goalie it was a necessary move. “We want to thank Kaleb and Nathan for their time as a King and their contributions on and off the ice. We needed to address our goaltending situation and we had to give up good players to acquire a good goalie.”
Both Nelson and Small played one season for the Kings. Nelson played in 44 games collecting 8 goals and 4 assists, while Small notched 4 goals and 14 assists in 47 games on the blueline.
Metson will suit up in Kings colours for the first time one week from today when the Kings open training camp on September 2nd.
Header Photo by Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images
