By Jeff Nagle
The Riverview Royals made a couple of moves this morning to shore up their defense core. In a not-so-surprising move, the Royals traded defenseman Darnel Nurse to the Cains River Blues for a season 18 third rounder. This allowed the 35-year-old Nurse to retire on the team who drafted him in season 1 and the only team he has ever played with outside the Royals.
"It was important to us to see Nurse go back to Cains River. He's a legend there and will likely see himself in the Hall of Fame with the Blues." said GM Nagle.
By moving Nurse, the cap space opened up allowed the Royals to trade for a younger replacement on the third line as the Royals acquired 23-year-old defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin from the South Esk Scotsmen. In exchange the Royals parted ways with prospects Laurie Boschman and Jim Kyte as well as Bathurst's season 18 first round pick. Mukamadullin plays a physical, shut down brand of hockey, one that GM Nagle covets at the defense position. He will likely slot in on the third line with a possibility of playing some penalty killing time.
"We are very happy to bring in Shakir. He'll fit in very well for the long term success of the team. He hits hard, shuts down other team's top players and while he isn't a prolific goal scorer, he has the possibility to put up a few points. We very happy to have the final piece of our defense core locked up for the forseeable future." finished GM Nagle.
1/16/2026 - 256 words
