BROOKS, AB (August 14, 2019) ? The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have acquired 2000-born forward Chris Pappas (Etobicoke, ON) from the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), the team announced today.
In exchange, the Bandits sent 1999-born defenceman Wyatt Villalta and future considerations to Toronto.
?Adding experience and offence to our lineup was a priority this offseason, and we feel like Chris has the ability to contribute in that way,? said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. ?He is a fantastic skater with a high-end skillset that should work nicely with our style of play.
?We have worked on this trade for a little while now and are happy to complete this just before we open camp on Sunday night,? he added.
Pappas, 18, was the Patriots? leading scorer last season, notching 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 53 regular season games. Prior to that, the 5?11?, 170lb forward suited up for the Toronto Nationals of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) for two years, reaching the Telus Cup national championship tournament in his second year with the team.
Villalta, 20, recorded 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) in 20 regular season games with the Bandits after being acquired from the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL the prior summer.
The Bandits open their 2019-20 national title defence with exhibition play against the Okotoks Oilers at the Centennial Regional Arena on Monday, August 26th. Season tickets are available online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca.