Chilliwack/Estevan – On Friday, the Chiefs announced they acquired the CJHL playing rights of 20 year old goaltender Nolan Hildebrand from the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations.
Hildebrand, from Calgary Alberta, spent the last two seasons with the Penticton Vees before being moved to the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in July. With the Vees he had a record of 17-6-0 to go along with a 2.69 goals against average and a 90.4 save percentage. In eight games with the Oilers this season he had a goals against average of 3.06 and a save percentage of 87.4%.
Chiefs goaltender Mathieu Caron has played all but 13 minutes this season and with returning goaltender Daniel Chenard expected to be out with an injury for at least another month, Chiefs General Manager and Head Coach Brian Maloney felt the need to make the move.
“Nolan is a 20 year old with experience in this league,” said Maloney. “Caron has been one of the best goalies in the league but we wanted that experience and insurance while Chenard gets healthy.”
“Affiliate goaltender Dawson Pelletier has been fun to watch improve every day but with him being 17 we don’t want to rush his progress.”
Hildebrand is expected to join the Chiefs in Penticton Saturday.
