Cobourg native Nik Temple will patrol the Port Hope Predator blueline next season.  "Right off the hop he makes us a better team," says Tim Clayden, Predators hockey operations director.

Port Hope acquired Temple from the Quinte West Pack, formerly known as the Trenton Sting, in late-April for an undisclosed financial amount.  Temple was once Predator property, but was flipped to Trenton after training camp, for the benefit of his development, says Clayden.

"We had an older team then built for a big run. Nik was already a good player, but just needed more experience and playing time," explains Clayden. "Anyone would welcome a player like Nik Temple on their hockey club."

Temple posted eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points in 49 games last year with Trenton. Of Temple's 29 points, seven goals and 11 assists came on the powerplay. In his first year in Trenton, Temple notched five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 39 games. On the powerplay, Temple recorded four goals and eight assists in his rookie year. In four career playoff games Temple has recorded one assist and eight penalty minutes.

"Nik is a steady, quality defenceman and a right-hand shot. He can play physical and he is mobile and he does make us better," says Clayden.  Mark Burrowes, Quinte West Pack president and general manager, is part of the team's new ownership group. The Pack have a completely new front office staff, management, scouts, coaches and trainers as the team turns a new chapter in its history, adds Burrowes.

"As new owners we only saw him play four games but he appeared to be steady. His biggest asset is he has a heavy shot and put up good offensive numbers," says Burrowes. "We traded Nik so he could attend post-secondary school closer to home or we would have kept him. We had no interest in trading him for any other reason and wish Nik the best."