The first-place London Nationals added a forward they hope will be a top-line producer and bolstered their back end in a flurry of moves this week.
The Nats picked up Komoka native Rylan Bowers, who had been playing for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and acquired 20-year-old defenceman Thomas Munro from St. Marys for 20-year-old forward Thomas Harbour and 18-year-old blueliner Josh Cornfield.
The 19-year-old Bowers, originally a Mississauga Steelheads prospect, scored one goal in nine games with the Remparts this fall. Two years ago, he posted 17 goals and 37 points in 45 games while piling up 105 penalty minutes for the Listowel Cyclones.
London had to work out a deal with Listowel for his Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League rights and obtain his release from the Patrick Roy-led Remparts. If the transfer is approved in time, he will make his debut against the St. Thomas Stars Wednesday, 7 p.m. at Western Fair Sports Centre.
“He’s a tough kid,” Nationals GM Tony Mandarelli said, “and hopefully, he picks it up where he left off with Listowel. “We traded for Munro because we needed to get our back end stronger and he can help some of our younger guys, too.”
Munro scored four goals and 14 points in 17 games with the Lincolns before making his first appearance with the Nats in a 3-2 overtime loss to Chatham. The Nats have plenty of back-line offence this season and Owen McGowan leads all GOJHL d-men with 23 points.
“I don’t think we’re finished yet (dealing),” Mandarelli said. “We’ve still got work to do to evaluate where we’re at and where we’re going. If this is a good lineup that works out and we can continue to win, we may stick with that for the most part. There will be a couple more tweaks.”
