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The Port Hope Predators continue to retool for another shot at a championship with the trading of its all-star goaltender Paul Dainton and defenseman Bobby Hineman.

“Both Bobby and Paul became best friends while playing in Port Hope the last two seasons and requested a trade out west to finish their junior careers together,” says Tim Clayden, Port Hope’s hockey operations director. “Their timing was right as we were planning to ensure that we had no ghosts remaining from last season.”

Dainton and Hineman were traded to the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for forwards Bubba Westwood, Rod Lavoie, Kyle Leahy and defenceman Torin Brusven. The Predators then flipped those four players to the Quesnel Millionaires, also of the BCHL, for defenceman Dan MacIntyre and forwards Russell Laforest and Steven Little.

“We are ecstatic as an organization as we have tried to acquire defenceman Dan MacIntyre for more than six months now. Dan is a very solid and experienced defenceman who will fit extremely well into Coach (Bart) Crashley’s game plan of Canada on defense, Russian on offense,” says Clayden.

Dainton was a two-time all star and Hineman was an all star as well in their time with the Predators. Both players are excited to be headed to the Spruce Kings, who will be hosting this year’s RBC Cup, and they will look back fondly on their Predator years.

“From the players, coaches, management, volunteers, fans, and billets, I can not thank them enough. We had two successful years in Port Hope and I can only hope that it keeps going in a positive way for everyone there,” says Dainton.

Hineman says he too will miss Predator management, staff and his billets as well. “I feel that Port Hope has helped me not only become a better hockey player but also a better person,” says Hineman. “The fans made it very special as you always wanted to win not only for the team but for the town as well.”

Clayden believes MacIntyre will be the leader on this new Predator team and says the newly acquired player will be the team’s captain. Complementing his arrival as a leader will be the return of Kevin Parker to the Predators who will be the team’s assistant captain.

“Kevin came into his own late last season and we expect a big year from this young man,” says Clayden. “Any organization across the country at this level of play is off to a great start already this season when they can add two bonafide leaders on and off the ice such as Kevin Parker and Dan MacIntyre.”

Parker says he already is encouraged with the changes the Predators have been making and cannot wait to the ice this upcoming season. “There have been a lot of positive changes to our team and I hope that my leadership as a returning veteran will help bring many successes for the Predators this season,” says Parker