The New Westminster Salmonbellies dealt the rights to popular pugilist Rory Smith to the Victoria Shamrocks in a swap of defensive Western Lacrosse Association players on Thursday.
The conditional deal sent Smith and New West's second-round pick in the 2014 junior entry draft to Victoria for Nova Scotia native Chet Koneczny, a three-year back-end player with the 'Rocks.
"(Koeczny) can run the floor, he's a loose-ball guy and he's tough," said New West general manager and president Dan Richardson.
The conditions of the trade depend on whether or not Smith plays in Victoria in 2014 or 2015. If he does play in the following seasons, the Salmonbellies will receive Victoria's first-round draft pick in 2016.
If Smith does not remain a Shamrock, Victoria will retain its 2016 pick and his playing rights will revert back to New Westminster.
Smith played three seasons with the senior A Salmonbellies club beginning in 2009, but last summer opted to stay back east and play with Six Nations in Ontario's Major Series Lacrosse.
The 29-year-old Koneczny also plays in the National Lacrosse League in Colorado. In four seasons in the pro league, he has 18 points and 83 penalty minutes.
Richardson added he had previously recruited Koneczny at the same time he was wooing Smith.
"At the end of the day, Chet is going to fit in well with Steve's (coach Goodwin) lineup. He's fit and doesn't mind dropping the gloves."
