As the trade deadline came and went at 5:00 pm, the Pistons were busy right up until the last minute, and have bolstered their depth and experience up front for the stretch run with three new additions.
Steinbach started the day by acquiring F Nico Labossiere (’98) from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines for Future Considerations.
The 20-year-old from Winnipeg averaged just over a point a game in 2017-18 with the Selkirk Steelers, as he totalled 64 points (22 G, 42 A) in 60 games in 2017-18. Labossiere has also spent time with the Winkler Flyers, scoring 29 points in 67 games from 2015-17.
This season, Labossiere had seven assists in 12 games with Selkirk before being dealt to Waywayseecappo in December.
Head Coach and GM Paul Dyck said he has had interest in bringing in Labossiere from some time. “Nico brings a lot of energy to the game and has been a very productive player in our league,“ Dyck said. “He will be a nice addition to our power play and our offence.”
Steinbach then acquired F Caleb Paisley (’99) from the Red Lake Miners of the SIJHL in exchange for Future Considerations.
The 19-year-old Steinbach native returns to his hometown Pistons after playing two games with the team back in 2016-17. He has split time between the Wolverines and the Miners this season, putting up four goals and three assists in 24 games with Wayway and six goals and five assists in 9 games with Red Lake.
“Caleb is someone we are very familiar with,” Dyck said of Paisley. “He has two years of experience now and is very competitive. We are very pleased to bring Caleb back to Steinbach.”
Steinbach wasn’t done there, as a last minute deal with the Wolverines saw the Pistons acquire F Riley Vautour (’98) from Waywayseecappo in exchange for F Trent Halfdanson (’00) and Future Considerations.
Vautour was the leading scorer for the Wolverines this season with nine goals and 14 assists in 35 games this season while playing a physical style of hockey (109 PIM). “Riley plays a hard nosed game and can contribute offensively,“ Dyck added. “He is the type of player you notice when you play against him, and we feel he is a player that can really help us down the stretch.”
Halfanson had two assists in seven games played with the Pistons after being acquired from the Winkler Flyers in December.
The Pistons organization would like to welcome Nico, Caleb, Riley, and their families to Steinbach! The Pistons thank Trent for his contributions to the club, and wish him all the best.