The West Kelowna Warriors made a move Tuesday to add more offensive depth to the blue line.
The Warriors acquired 19-year-old defenceman Zane Schartz from the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
In exchange for Schartz, the Warriors sent 19-year-old defenceman Braxton Bilous to the Bandits.
The Warriors have not received much of an offensive contribution from the back end this season.
Adam Plant has 11 assists while the rest of the blue line has contributed five goals and 17 assists over the club's first 23 games.
By comparison the Warriors' blueliners chipped in with 27 goals and 114 assists a season ago.
Schartz may help in that regard.
In 24 games split between the Bandits and BCHL's Surrey Eagles, Schartz has four goals and 11 assists.
Schartz, a native of Plano TX, played 10 games in Surrey before being dealt to the Bandits in early October.
He had a goal and an assist in a season opening 3-0 win over the Warriors at the Showcase event in Chilliwack.
Bilous, in his second season with Warriors, had a goal and four assists in 23 games. He had six goals and 10 assists in 48 games a year ago.
Schartz will be in the line-up Tuesday night when the Warriors take on the Silverbacks in Salmon Arm.
The Warriors enter Tuesday's game fifth in the Interior Division two points in back of fourth place Salmon Arm and just four behind division leading Vernon and Merritt. West Kelowna holds games in hand on all three teams.
They continue a busy week hosting Chilliwack Friday before travelling to Vernon Saturday.
