CANMORE – The Canmore Eagles brought in more grit and experience to its blueline while solving an awkward problem.
On Sunday (Sept. 18), the local junior A hockey club traded forward Isaac Suppin and defenceman Austin Lusok to the Drayton Valley Thunder in exchange for 19-year-old defenceman Brody Tallman.
“I’m meeting some of the guys and getting super excited to get things going and hopefully get some more wins for the club,” said Tallman.
We have completed a trade with the Drayton Valley Thunder which sends Isaac Suppin & Austin Lusok in exchange for Brody Tallman.
— Canmore Eagles (@canmoreeagles) September 18, 2022
Welcome to the nest!🏔🦅 pic.twitter.com/fpuAklFrXw
The Lethbridge-born Tallman, a five-foot-11, 190-pound lefty played for the Thunder and Okotoks Oilers in the AJHL, as well as the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Last season with the Thunder, the defenceman had six goals and 17 points and raked up 68 penalty minutes (PIM) in 38 regular season games. In 15 playoff games, Tallman had eight helpers and 37 PIM.
The new blueliner described himself as a big body, unafraid to engage in physical play.
“I like to think of myself as a good two-way defenceman,” said Tallman. “I take lots of pride in my D-zone and I like to chip in offensively too. I’m always a team-first guy; I think my defensive aspect is what I think is the best part of my game.”
Tallman is expected to debut Tuesday (Sept. 20) against the defending champion Brooks Bandits. Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Canmore’s Alex Kaleta Arena.
Eagles head coach and general manager Andrew Milne said the team's newest defenceman brings a diverse presence.
“One of our goals was to look for a veteran, experienced defenceman who can chew up some big minutes for us,” said Milne. “I think he’s a guy that can play in any situation whether it’s power play, penalty kill, five-on-five, [and] he can play the other team’s top line."
By dealing Suppin, the Eagles solved its 20 year old dilemma.
Under the Canadian Junior Hockey League rules, a team can have six 20 year olds on its roster, but the Eagles had one too many heading into the 2022-23 season.
Suppin, 20, started in Canmore in 2020-21 and in 63 regular games had 12 goals and 41 points to go along with 109 PIM.
Lusok, 19, debuted with the Eagles in 2021-22 and in 42 regular season games scored two goals and eight points and 12 PIM.
The Eagles are 1-1-0 to start the 2022-23 campaign with a 5-4 shootout win against the Drumheller Dragons and 3-2 loss to the Blackfalds Bulldogs.
