The New Westminster Salmonbellies made a couple more junior A signings this week.
Junior general manager Jamie Stewart inked provincial intermediate A all-star Jesse Gillespie to a card on Jan. 8.
The outstanding defensive and transition player is known for his character and leadership skills, and should be able to make an immediate impact with the junior squad, said Stewart.
Gillespie, who hails from Maple Ridge, played three games for the Langley Thunder as a callup last season. He had four goals, 16 assists and 77 minutes in penalties in 16 games with the intermediate A league champion Maple Ridge club last season.
The junior ’Bellies also signed first-year intermediate Maxwell James from Kamloops.
The 6-4, 225 pound defensive transition player scored three goals and added three assists as a 16-year-old with the Kamloops Venom of the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League last season.
A bantam hockey draft of the Western Hockey League Tri-City Americans, Maxwell currently has 14 goals and 16 assists in 28 games with the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League this season.
“He’s a special player,” said Salmonbellies assistant general manager Ray Porcellato. “If he was in the draft, he’d be the No. 1 pick.”
