There will be a new face in the lineup when the Grande Prairie Storm face the Bonnyville Pontiacs in a pair of games at Revolution Place this weekend.
On Thursday the Storm acquired goaltender Xavier Burghardt from the West Kelowna Warriors of the British Columbia Junior Hockey in exchange for future considerations.
“Due to an injury (goaltender) Eric Jackson hasn't been able to play the last three games and will miss the weekend games against Bonnyville as well,” said Storm head coach/general manager Kevin Higo. “We felt we needed to address that hole in our roster as soon as possible.”
Jackson has appeared in seven games for the Storm this season with two wins, four losses and OT loss and has a 5.39 goals against average.
Burghardt, 19, went to the Warriors from the Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and made eight appearances for the Warriors earning two wins, six losses, a 3.49 GAA and posting a .897 save percentage. He is from Medicine Hat and played in the AJHL with the Drumheller Dragons last appearing in 26 games.
Ashton Abel, son of former Storm player Jason Abel, was starting goaltender Arik Weersink's backup for the last three games after Jackson went down with the injury.
“Ashton Abel from the Grande Peace Athletic Club Midget AAA team is our affiliate goalie and has dressed the past three games, but his team has their showcase in Edmonton on the weekend and he will be unavailable.”
Games against Bonnyville go at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.