The Nelson Leafs bolstered their defensive corps at the KIJHL trade deadline Tuesday by acquiring Michael LeNoury from the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
In return, the Leafs sent rookie forward David Lenzin to Revelstoke.
LeNoury, who stands six-foot-three and weighs 200 pounds, has two goals and 14 assists with the Grizzlies this year, which already makes him the Leafs' top scoring defenceman.
Leafs general manager Sean Dooley said once other teams heard Nelson was in on the 19-year-old LeNoury, he was receiving offers for the blue-liner before the trade with Revelstoke was even complete.
But Dooley and head coach Mario DiBella weren't interested in flipping him, especially after the team lost defenceman Brennan Grocock last week.
"We needed to fill that gap with a D-man and we got a bigger, stronger, more offensive player," said Dooley. "It fits our defensive mould a bit better, so we have a pretty good balance now."
Lenzin was one of several rookies who have made big contributions to the Leafs throughout the season. He had six goals and eight assists in 35 games.
Dooley said Lenzin had actually considered Revelstoke before joining Nelson.
"He was familiar with the club, the team's familiar with David. They needed that kind of forward in their lineup and we thought we needed that kind of D-man."
The Leafs also completed a minor deal for Grocock, whose rights went to the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League's Wainwright Bisons in return for future considerations.