A season-ending injury to one of their defenceman prompted the Vernon Vipers to go hunting.
And they bagged an American blue-liner from the Fraser Valley.
The Vipers acquired Price Grimes, 19, from the Chilliwack Chiefs for future considerations.
The move was made after Vipers' Latvian defenceman Emils Skeltins – who turns 20 on Saturday, Feb. 8 – was lost for the year with an injury.
"We are thrilled to bring in Price, who is a promising young defender, and has already played a year-and-a-half of junior hockey," said Vernon head coach Lukas Lomicky.
Grimes is 6-foot-2, 183-pounds, and is a right-hand shot. He brings size, skill, and experience to the Vipers' defensive corps.
Grimes, who had three goals, four assists, seven points and 35 penalty minutes in 35 games with the Chiefs, is committed to the University of New Hampshire.
The native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is expected to make his Vernon debut Friday, when the Vipers visit the Penticton Vees.
The Chiefs and the Surrey Eagles play a crucial home-and-home series, Friday night in Surrey, Saturday evening in Chillwack. The Eagles are four points behind the Coastal Conference-leading Chiefs, though Chilliwack has a game in hand.
