KEARNEY, Neb. – Storm general manager Jim Hulton announced an addition to the team’s preseason roster Wednesday, acquiring forward Chase Hatcher from the Muskegon Lumberjacks in exchange for a 10th round pick in the USHL’s 2015 Phase II Draft.

A native of Haddonfield, N.J., Hatcher played in 24 USHL games during the 2013-14 season with Muskegon, scoring two goals and adding five assists.

Before Muskegon, Hatcher played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes from 2011-14. In 118 games over the span of three different seasons with Peterborough, Hatcher had seven goals and 18 assists with 99 penalty minutes.

Hulton expects the forward to bring size and a veteran presence to his lineup, as he measures six-feet two-inches, weighs 200 pounds and is 20-years-old.

“Our mandates this summer were to get a little older with our lineup, as well as add some size and grit to our roster and Chase fills all three of those things,” Hulton said. “He has Major A experience and experience in our league with Muskegon last year so we thought the price was very inexpensive to acquire a veteran that can add another dimension to our club.”

The general manager, who has a decade of experience coaching in the OHL, also reached out to some of his old colleagues to make sure Hatcher also had the qualities he was looking for off the ice.

“One of your concerns when you’re acquiring an unknown is to make sure they have good character,” Hulton said. “We heard nothing but great reports about Chase as a person and as a teammate and that solidified our approach with the deal.”

Tri-City will kick off their preseason schedule on Sunday when they travel to Omaha to face the Des Moines Buccaneers for two neutral site exhibition games at 12 and 7 p.m.

Single game tickets for all 2014-15 home games are on sale now through the Viaero Event Center Box Office. For more information, call 308.338.8011 or visit stormhockey.com.