PHOTOS: Greg Sasaki (Nanaimo Bulletin)/Ken Reid (Greystoke Photography)
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Friday afternoon that the team has acquired forward Matt Kowalski (’99) from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for forward Logan Mostat (’97).
Kowalski, 18, is entering his 3rd season in the BCHL but his first in the Interior Division after spending the last two seasons in the Island Division playing for the Nanaimo Clippers. In 56 regular season games with the Clippers, the 5’9”, 150-pound forward scored nine goals and collected sixteen points along with 10 penalty minutes while getting into one playoff game during the 2016 postseason with no points.
The Vernon, B.C. native is no stranger to hockey in the Interior as he dominated the BC Major Midget League with the Okanagan Rockets prior to his Junior ‘A’ career. Kowalski compiled 17 goals and 42 points in just 23 games with the Rockets and was leading the league in scoring before being picked up by Nanaimo during the 2015/16 season. The Warriors are acquiring Kowalski from Salmon Arm as he was part of the future considerations that went to the Silverbacks from the Clippers in a Josh Blanchard trade on the January 10th trade deadline.
Warriors general manager and head coach Rylan Ferster is hopeful that the 18-year-old can find his scoring touch again in a new environment, “Acquiring Matt, we hope to play him in a role that will allow him to be an offensive player. He has proven in the past to be a scorer and we are hopeful he can find that touch in West Kelowna.”
Mostat, 20, was acquired by the Warriors on December 3rd, 2016 from the Surrey Eagles and played in 60 games between the two teams in the 2016/17 season. The Salmon Arm, B.C. native scored 18 goals and tallied 42 points over the course of the regular season along with 43 penalty minutes. Mostat added an assist in four playoff games in the Warriors first round exit against the Merritt Centennials.
The Warriors would like to welcome Matt and his family to the Warriors and the city of West Kelowna. The Warriors would also like to thank Logan for his time and contributions to the club and the city of West Kelowna and wish him all the best in Salmon Arm.
Matt and the rest of the Warriors will hit the ice in late August for Main Camp with 2017/18 season tickets available now and can be purchased at the Warriors office or by calling Kim at (250) 769-7051.
