By Clark Stork

Hawks acquire defenceman from Bonnyville

Nov 9, 2017 | 9:00 AM

The Nipawin Hawks bolstered their blueline after acquiring 1999-born defenceman Ante Mustapic Wednesday.

The Vancouver product comes to the Hawks from the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). General Manager Doug Johnson said they are getting a solid player in return for a development fee.

“We picked up Ante to help bolster our blueline. TJ Millar, our assistant coach saw him last year and really liked the way he played, especially for a guy his size,” Johnson said. “We liked his compete, his puck moving ability and obviously his size is very intriguing.”

According to HockeyDB.com, Mustapic is listed at 6’4” and 220 lbs.

Johnson said they checked several boxes with the acquisition.

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“We were not intentionally trying to get younger or bring a younger guy in. We just wanted to get another defenceman in that fit a specific criteria which Ante did. We were familiar with his game. We were pretty certain he would report and all reports on him is that he is a very good citizen that wanted to get better. These are the types of players we like and try to acquire when available,” Johnson said.

He had one assist in eight games this season in the AJHL. He spent his 17-year-old season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

Nipawin’s next action is on Friday night in Melfort versus the Mustangs. Face-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Lights Palace.

clark.stork@jpbg

On Twitter: @ClarkStork