KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm Head Coach Jim Hulton announced the acquisition of defenseman Vince Pedrie from the Bloomington ThunderSunday.

The blueliner has had a breakout season with the Thunder, scoring nine goals and assisting on 13 others in 39 games. Pedrie is one of the most veteran players in the league, having played in 171 regular season games over four USHL seasons with the Omaha Lancers, Indiana Ice and Thunder.

Last season in Indiana, Pedrie was part of the Clark Cup championship roster. Appearing in 36 games, the Apple Valley, Minn. native had five goals and nine assists with a +12 rating.

“We’re excited to add Vince in to our team,” Hulton said. He brings a number of valuable elements, first and foremost championship experience. He’s a 200 foot player, equally as adequate in the defensive zone as he is with the puck. Offensively, he’s another key element on a power play, and he’s a veteran who can kill penalties.”

In exchange for Pedrie, the Storm have traded defenseman Cameron Spicer to Bloomington along with affiliate forward Joe Abate and second round draft picks in both Phase I and Phase II of the 2015 USHL Draft.

Spicer played in 29 games for Tri-City on the blue line, scoring one goal and adding three assists.

“There’s always a cost to improving your team and in order to acquire Vince we had to give up Cameron,” Hulton said. “It’s a complement to Cam that he was a sought after player by Bloomington and he’s been a very good member of our team, a great teammate, and he’s made huge strides on the ice to become a dependable steady player. I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

In addition to Pedrie, Tri-City acquired Bloomington’s eighth round pick in Phase II of the 2016 USHL Draft.

“Vince really brings all aspects to the table and we felt this was too good a deal to pass up,” Hulton said. “When you get down to the stretch run, age and experience become very important elements of any team and we think with our recent play, we need to keep moving upwards and onwards.”

Pedrie, who is 21 years of age, is committed to play collegiately at Penn State this fall.

The Storm hit the road for a three-game trip starting Friday against the Lincoln Stars at 7:05 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.