The West 琉璃神社 Warriors addressed a need to their roster via trade on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
In a press release, the team announced their have acquired Swedish defenceman Axel Lofgren from the Powell River Kings, in exchange for defenceman Landen Hilditch and forward Eliot Compton.
Lofgren brings a scoring punch to the Warriors defensive core as he's currently fifth in scoring for BCHL defencemen with 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 20 games.
"Lofgren is a big, mobile, smooth skating defenceman with great offensive instincts and ability to create offence." said Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Simon Ferguson. "We are very excited to add Axel to our d-core as we think he will be a great fit for our style of play. Obviously anytime you add a player of Axel鈥檚 calibre in a trade you have to move out some valuable players."
Hilditch has a record year for the Warriors in 2023-24, recording 15 points in 51 games. He has just two assists in 19 games this year and in his career, has 26 points in 109 BCHL games.
Compton, also heading to the Kings, has 13 points in 72 career games, all with the Warriors.
"Landen and Eliot are both good hockey players and even better people which made moving them especially difficult. We wish them nothing but the best in their futures and we thank them for everything they have given to the community of West 琉璃神社," added Ferguson.
Lofgren also brings some comradery to the Warriors, as he's going to reunite with Warriors' Elias Callgren. The two of them played together for Lule氓 HF J20 of the J20 Nationell League in Sweden last season.
Lofgren is set to make his Warriors debut on Friday, Nov. 29 when the Warriors host the Trail Smoke Eaters at Royal LePage Place at 7 p.m.
