Terry Parisien’s planned journey to Nipigon took an abrupt change of direction this week.
The Borderland Thunder defenceman was traded to the Dryden Ice Dogs after an initial deal with the Nipigon Feathermen Hawks 11 days earlier fell through.
Coming in the Thunder’s direction are forward Rob Scales, 18, a Philadelphia native, and defenceman Mark Morin, also 18, who hails from Ignace.
“Terry is a good defenceman but this trade gives us some needed depth,” said Thunder head coach Dave Allison.
“This trade helps us get younger, which was definitely a selling point of the deal,” he added.
Parisien, 20, had one assist in two games with the Thunder this season after collecting 10 goals and 23 points in 45 games with the team last season.
He was part of the four-player deal announced Sept. 22 that had himself and forwards Justin Bodnarchuk and Mike Fair headed for Nipigon in exchange for all-star forward Brent Greene.
But with Bodnarchuk threatening not to report to his new club and Greene hesitant about coming here, officials from both teams called off the trade last Friday evening.
Allison said the delay caused by the original deal going sour was “unfortunate,” but was confident the Thunder still received fair value for Parisien.
“Scales is an all-around type who can play all three forward positions, and Morin is a tall, rangy kid that will help us back on the blueline,” he remarked.
Both players are scheduled to be in the lineup for the Thunder’s two-game set with the Northwest Wisconsin Knights at the Ice for Kids Arena on Friday and Saturday.
Game time is 7:30 both nights.
