Top Regals reunited as Slachetka joins Rivers with Kilty B’s

By Ken Pagan

The Hamilton Kilty B’s have some added some punch to their forward group as the Jan. 10 trade deadline approaches.

American-born forward Nolan Slachetka, 20, has been acquired from the Buffalo Regals, where the Joliet, Ill., native had served as captain.

The five-foot-8, 155-pound speedster has established himself as a point-per-game player in two seasons in the GOJHL. Slachetka was the Regals’ leading scorer this season prior to the holiday break, putting up 14 goals and 33 points in 32 games. A year ago, Slachetka led the Lockport Regals with 44 points in 46 games.

With the Kilty B’s, Slachetka will be reunited with former Regals teammate Eli Rivers, who joined the Kilty B’s in November. Rivers had been the Regals’ top scorer, with 26 points in 21 games, before joining Hamilton on Nov. 30. He has nine points in eight games with the Kilty B’s.

Rivers and Slachetka were born three days apart in July 1999.

On Thursday, in the Kilty B’s first game back after the holiday break, Rivers had two assists in a 6-2 win over the visiting Pelham Panthers.

Captain Jacob Macdonald and linemate Ellis Rickwood scored twice for Hamilton (20-11-3), while Nick Giamou and affiliate player Justin Dezoete also scored. The Kilty B’s held a 45-23 advantage in shots over the Panthers (12-19-2). Justin Easter made 21 saves in earning the win.

Slachetka will be in the lineup when the Kilty B’s travel to Pelham for a return match Sunday afternoon.

On Monday, the Kilty B’s host the Fort Erie Meteors (6-22-5) at 7 p.m. at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena.