The Maple Ridge Burrards traded away their top scorer and assistant captain on Thursday as they sent Derek Lowe to the Victoria Shamrocks for a second round draft pick in next year’s draft.
Lowe has played nine seasons with the Burrards, amassing 392 points in 161 games played, including 197 goals. This season, Lowe led the team in scoring with 33 points in 11 games.
Burrards coach and general manager Daren Fridge said Lowe expressed an interest to move to a contender as the 30-year-old attacker gets closer to the end of his playing career.
“I want to thank Derek for his work and commitment to our club since we drafted him in 2004,” Fridge said. “He has been a consistent point contributor and has shown huge grit for an offensive star in the past few seasons.”
Lowe said he was excited to be moving on to Victoria in press release on Thursday.
“It’s obviously a very historic club that’s also a contender and Bear Mountain has always been one of my favorite places to play,” he said. “I really think we have a good shot to go far this year and hopefully be playing into September.”
The trade request from Lowe is another setback for the team this season, which is still awaiting the return of last year’s top scorer, Curtis Dickson, who has been out all season with an injured shoulder, as well as forward Aaron Pascas, who was recently injured in a car accident.
However, the 2013 WLA draft will undoubtedly be lucrative for the 1-9-1 Burrards, who appear likely to end up with the No. 1 pick, as well as two picks in the second round.
The Burrards also traded defenceman Sam Cook to the Langley Thunder, late Thursday. Going to the Burrards will be two as-yet unnamed players, and a third round draft pick in the 2013 draft.
• The Burrards return home to host the Nanaimo Timbermen on Sunday, July 8 at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge. Game time is 6:45 p.m.