This past NLL draft the Vancouver Stealth made a splash when they traded for Rochester Knighthawks forward Johnny Powless. They also traded for defenseman Rory Smith and goaltender Eric Penney. What might be overlooked is how Penney will impact the Stealth.
Penney missed last season on the Injured Reserve and played this past summer in Canada. He went out to British Columbia this summer to play with the New Westminster Salmonbellies. Penney was a member of the St. Catharines Athletics in Jr A before he was traded to the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
“Eric is one of the top young goaltenders and having him in Vancouver is a big deal for our organization.” said general manager Doug Locker. “Having seen him play in New Westminster this summer, we feel he is ready to take the next step in his professional career”
Penney had led the OLA with a goals against of 9.21 at the time of the trade. In his two regular season games he put up a 4.00 GAA in two wins. He also started throughout their playoffs where he went 4-1 in seven appearances and his goals against was 8.25.
The Stealth goaltender is Tyler Richards, who has been one of the top ‘tenders in the league, but he has also suffered from injury trouble. The Stealth depth chart has Penney as their backup but also Matt Roik, an older goaltender, and Neil Tyacke. Roik has struggled when he has been in there for the past few seasons, so it might be Penney’s time to take the reigns as the backup in Vancouver.
