Isaiah DiLaura is no longer stopping pucks for the Prince George Cougars.
The Cougars made their decision to go with just two goaltenders to start the 2019-20 season and to make room they sent 19-year-old veteran DiLaura to the Portland Winterwhawks in a trade for the 'Hawks seventh-round bantam draft pick in 2022.
Ever-popular with his Cougar teammates, DiLaura racked up seven wins in 36 games and compiled a 3.61 goals-against average and .889 save percentage with one shutout over the past two seasons. The native of St. Paul, Minn., was the Cats' eighth-round bantam choice in 2015.
His departure for Portland leaves the goaltending duties to incumbent starter Taylor Gauthier, 18, and 16-year-old rookie Tyler Brennan.
The Cougars have also returned 2004-born defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk to the OHA Edmonton Midget Prep team. Dowhaniuk was the first player drafted by the Cougars in 2019, taken third overall.
That leaves the opening-day roster with two goalies, eight defencemen and 15 forwards.
The Cougars host the defending Western Conference-champion Vancouver Giants in their season opener Friday at CN Centre in the first of a two-game weekend set.
Tickets are on sale at the TicketsNorth box office at CN Centre or online at ticketsnorth.ca, with seats available starting at $13.
