Kelowna Trades for Talented Blueliner

Press Release

The Kelowna Rockets have acquired an offensive defenceman in a trade with the Regina Pats

The Rockets acquired 18-year-old Myles Bell from Regina in exchange for defenceman Colton Jobke as well as a second round WHL bantam draft pick in 2012 and a fifth round pick in 2013.

Bell, a 6-foot-2 202 pound Calgary native, is entering his third full season in the WHL. In 66 games last season he had 14 goals and 31 assists.

"With the loss of Tyson Barrie and with new rules and the number of penalties that I feel are going to be called, we needed an offensive defenceman to play on the power play," said Rockets president/general manager Bruce Hamilton. "Myles has been a player we've been interested in for some time. We think he makes our team better."

In Jobke, the Rockets lose a veteran who provided solid leadership. Jobke, 19, is signed with Minnesota and this week was returned to junior.

"We're losing a great guy and a wonderful team-mate in Colton," said Hamilton. "We didn't feel that he would be back as an over-ager next year. Acquiring Myles continues our building towards 2013 and our bid for the Memorial Cup."

Bell is expected in the Rockets line-up this weekend when the Rockets play in Everett to open the WHL season.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)