June 24th, 2008

The Chilliwack Bruins have today acquired 19 year old defenseman Jesse Craige from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  The Hurricanes receive 19 year old forward Cody Smuk as well as the Bruins 3rd round selection in the 2009 Bantam draft. As part of the deal, the Bruins also return an 8th round pick in the 2009 Bantam Draft that they acquired from the Hurricanes in a trade last season.

Craige, who hails from Edmonton, AB., has played in 116 regular season WHL games for the ‘Canes, and has scored 18 goals and 34 assists.  Craige was also an integral part of the Hurricanes playoff run to the Eastern Conference Championship, appearing in 17 games and collecting one goal and 3 assists.

“We are very pleased to have acquired Jesse Craige,” comments Bruins General Manager Darrell May. “With the departure of Nick Holden on our back end we felt we needed another experienced offensive defenseman.  Jesse is a skilled defenseman who has extensive power play experience in the league. He is an excellent skater who moves the puck up the ice extremely well. I think he will fit in very well”

May on the departure of Cody Smuk: “It was very difficult to trade Cody. He was an original Bruin and brought a lot to our hockey club from day one. The Chilliwack Bruins wish only the best for Cody Smuk in the future.”

Jesse Craige Bio

Height: 5'10

Weight: 180

Position: D

Shot: Right

Birthdate: 1989-01-11

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Bantam Draft: 2004 66th by Lethbridge Hurricanes