PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings are pleased to announce that Skylar Pacheco has committed to the team for the 2011-12 season. Pacheco is a highly skilled defenceman who will compliment an already strong Spruce Kings blue line.

Skylar Pacheco (Pa_check_oh) is a 1994 born defenceman from Kitimat, BC that played last season with the Creston Valley Thundercats of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Pacheco was selected to play in the KIJHL Top Prospects Game picking up one point. The 16 year old rookie finished the regular season with 5 goals, and 12 assists in 43 games and also contributed in the post season with a goal and an assist in 13 playoff games.

"We're extremely thrilled to receive a commitment from a player like Skylar," said Spruce Kings General Manager, Mike Hawes. "He is an extremely intelligent defenceman with tremendous offensive upside, good defensive instincts and great work ethic. Skylar will be a very good player for our organization for several years."

"We are excited to be able to add another player from Northern BC," added Hawes. "From an organizational standpoint, it is important to us to be able to continue promoting players from the North."

The Prince George Spruce Kings are preparing for their 40th season and are looking forward to getting Sklyar Pacheco and the rest of the players back on the ice starting with the team’s main camp in late August.