The Flyers added leadership, experience and heart with their final move at the trading deadline, picking up forward Ryne Keller (94) from the Battlefords North Stars (SJHL). The pride of Wilke, Saskatchewan served the past two seasons as the North Stars Captain and comes to Winkler will 200 games of Junior Hockey experience.
With the acquisition of Keller, the Flyers now have a full roster of 23 players including nine 20 year olds, eight 19 year olds, four 18 year olds, two 17 year olds.
Keller is a 5’9”, 170 lbs forward who can play all three forward positions. In 36 games played this season in the Battlefords, Keller had 15 points (3 goals – 12 assists) and 16 penalty minutes. With exactly 200 games of Junior hockey experience, the Wilke, Saskatchewan native has 76 (25 goals – 51 assists) and 107 penalty minutes. He also Captained the North Stars for the past two seasons.
“Ryne is a heart and soul kid and is very excited to come here” says Flyers Head Coach and General Manager Ken Pearson.
“His leadership and experience will be valuable assets to our group moving forward into playoffs. He’s a great skater and will contribute as one of our top nine forwards” added Pearson.
“The fact that he can play all three forward positions is great. He plays very well in his own end and can help out offensively too.”
The trade for Keller is the Flyers third trade of the week after adding forward Jagger Thomas from Swan Valley and goaltender Devon Fordyce from OCN before the January 10th trading deadline.
The Flyers would like to welcome Ryne and his family to the Flyers organization and look forward to seeing him on the ice in an Orange and Black uniform.