On Wednesday, the Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes have made a pair of transactions, led by the trade acquisition of defenseman Chays Ruddy from the Fayetteville Marksmen in exchange for the rights to forward Cameron Cook.
Ruddy, a native of Cobourg, Ontario, played in both of Fayetteville’s games against Roanoke last weekend. Prior to joining Fayetteville this past offseason, Ruddy played most of the past two seasons in the ECHL, with Fort Wayne and Kansas City in 2021-22, along with Cincinnati and Toledo in 2022-23. Combined, Ruddy has played in 78 ECHL games between 2021-23, scoring one goal and 10 points. Ruddy also spent time in the United Kingdom’s top league, the EIHL, with Manchester early in 2022-23, playing 13 games and tallying 3 assists before returning to North America. Prior to turning professional, Ruddy played junior hockey in the OJHL with Trenton between 2014-2017, as well as with Prince George of the BCHL in 2017-18, before attending the University of Windsor in which he also played between 2018-2021.
In additional transaction news, forward Riley MacRae has been placed on team suspension, as he has decided to pursue playing opportunities in Europe.