Cougars and Raiders exchange 17-year-olds
Prince George, BC – The Prince George Cougars have swapped forwards with the Prince Albert Raiders.
The Cougars have acquired 17-year old Robbie Ciolfi (chee-OLE-fee) from the Raiders in exchange for 17-year old Ryan Kowalski. Ciolfi, a Lethbridge, AB product who stands 5’8” and weighs 165 pounds, played 6 pre-season games with the Raiders and has spent much of the year with the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, where he registered 2 goals and 8 assists in 13 games.
“He’s a very skilled and tenacious guy with loads of speed,” says Cougars Assistant Coach Jeff Battah, who coached Ciolfi earlier this season. “He was a dynamic midget AAA player in Lethbridge and even though he’s a smaller guy, he’s got great intensity.”
Cougars Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Wade Klippenstein adds, “Speed is an area we need to address and acquiring Robbie helps to do that.”
Ciolfi played last season with the Lethbridge AAA Titans where he scored 20 goals and 18 assists in 34 games. Ciolfi was a team-mate of Brock Hirsche, who is currently on the Cougars protected list. Ciolfi will join the Cougars for their upcoming road-trip this week-end.
“Ryan Kowalski is a good young player that has a lot of potential and we are excited to add him to our lineup”, said Raiders General Manager and Head Coach Bruno Campese. “This also provides Robbie Ciolfi with the opportunity to play full time in the WHL and we wish him well with his career in Prince George.”
To Raiders:
Ryan Kowalski
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC DOB: Sept. 6/91 Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right Height: 5’11” Weight: 195 lbs.
Year Team GP G A PTS PIM
07-08 Cougars 61 1 4 5 33
08-09 Cougars 35 0 1 1 13
WHL TOTALS 96 1 5 6 46
To Cougars:
Robbie Ciolfi
Hometown: Lethbridge, AB DOB: Sept. 11/91 Position: Centre
Shoots: Right Height: 5’8” Weight: 192 lbs.
Year Team GP G A PTS PIM
07-08 Lethbridge (AMMHL) 34 20 18 38 18
08-09 Drayton Valley (AJHL) 13 2 8 10 12