Blues strengthen blueline corps

SPRINGHILL - The Cumberland County Cool Blues have found their defensive quarterback.
The Blues signed veteran defenceman Murray Bavis on Wednesday and the 19-year-old Mount Pearl, N.L., native is expected to be in the lineup Friday when the club hosts the Sackville Blazers in Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League action at the Richard Calder Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
"It's a good acquisition for us. He comes with a couple of years of junior A experience. He's a solid defenceman with an offensive side," Blues' coach and general manager Ron Reynolds said last night. "It's one of those ingredients we were looking for."
To make room for Bavis, the Blues released defenceman Marc Ouellette, who is returning to the New Brunswick Junior C League to play with Shediac. Reynolds expects to be making another roster move prior to Friday's game.
The 5'10", 180-pound Bavis returned home after leaving the Woodstock Subway Slammers several weeks ago. In 15 games with the Slammers, he had three assists and 54 penalty minutes. He split last year between Woodstock and the Yarmouth Mariners.
"He's going to strengthen our defence and should work well with the guys we got back there like Nathan Lavigne, Justin Cortes, Matt Noiles and Justin Landry," Reynolds said. "It should give them some confidence to play with someone with junior A experience."
Reynolds said he's talking to another player about joining the Blues, but added he's not looking to make any significant changes anytime soon.
dcole@amherstdaily.com