IROQUOIS FALLS - The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that Abitibi Eskimos forward Aaron Kerr has been acquired by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for a player development fee.
He joined the QMJHL squad on a tryout basis and impressed team management and coaches there enough to acquire his playing rights from Abitibi and sign him.
Kerr, who represented the NOJHL at last month’s Ontario Summer Select Showcase event in Cornwall, had one goal in two games early on for the Eskimos.
Last season saw the 16-year-old Timmins product top the team in tallies with 22 while finishing third overall in offensive production with 36 points in 46 games.
Kerr’s goal total was the third highest in the NOJHL in 2012-13.
“Acadie-Bathurst are getting a player with speed at the major junior A level,” stated Abitibi head coach and general manager Paul Gagne. “He’s a player that will take advantage of his speed and produce offensive chances.”
Despite losing one of the league’s top offensive forwards, Gagne knows that seeing players earn the right to compete at a higher level offers a greater benefit to the Eskimos.
“As for our organization, we are very proud of Aaron and certainly it is nice to see a player move up to the next level.”
Abitibi returns to NOJHL game action Saturday as they entertain the Elliot Lake Bobcats in a 7:30 p.m. start at Jus Jordan Arena.