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Chilliwack Chiefs send Garrett Valk to Trail Smoke Eaters

Chilliwack hockey boss Brian Maloney said the trade was to provide opportunity for the blueliner
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Now former Chilliwack Chief Garrett Valk (No. 10) helps another ex-Chief, Carter Wilkie, foil Coquitlam’s Connor Gregga during a 2019 BCHL game. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)

The Chilliwack Chiefs have moved a defenceman, trading Garrett Valk to the Trail Smoke Eaters.

The BCHL clubs swung a deal Friday, with Chilliwack receiving future considerations for the 2002-born blueliner.

The son of former National Hockey Leaguer Garry Valk played 44 regular season and playoff games for the Chiefs from 2018 to 2020, producing four assists and 22 penalty minutes. The North Vancouver product goes to a team that will be able to give him playing time in all situations, something Chilliwack hockey boss Brian Maloney couldn’t provide.

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Smoke Eaters head coach/general manager Tim Fragle is happy with the trade.

“Garrett brings experience from playing in Chilliwack last year,” he said. “Garrett is a young 2002 defenceman with size (six-foot-three and 210 pounds) who competes very hard. We like his potential as he skates well and is a hard nose defender.”

The Chiefs were carrying nine defenceman and only dress six on game days, so the departure of Valk makes it a little easier for Maloney to get the remaining crew ice time.


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eric.welsh@theprogress.com

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Eric Welsh

About the Author: Eric Welsh

I joined the Chilliwack Progress in 2007, originally hired as a sports reporter.
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