The New Jersey Titans have acquired defenseman Cam Kuhl in a trade with the Topeka Roadrunners of the South Division.
Kuhl is a 20-year-old hailing from Albany, NY, and will look to make an immediate impact with the team. The move was made to replace Zach Parrott, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.
He arrived in New Jersey over the weekend and watched the Titans play against the Philadelphia Rebels. Kuhl practiced with the team for the first time on Monday, and after his off-ice workout, he had the opportunity to speak about the trade that sent him to the Garden State.
“I was excited when I heard that I was coming to Jersey. It’s close to home too so I get to play in front of my parents and then be close to home which is awesome,” he said. “We definitely have some skill here in the locker room, and I’m excited to bring a physical element to the team that I think isn’t very present here in the East Division.”
In 33 games with the RoadRunners, he recorded three goals and five assists, totaling for eight points. Prior to playing in the NAHL, Kuhl was a part of the Adirondack Jr. Wings of the EmJHL and the P.A.L. Junior Islanders of the USPHL Premier. Titans head coach Craig Doremus said he became very familiar with Kuhl when he played for those teams.
“It was a move made out of necessity for us. Obviously with the loss of Zach (Parrott) for the season, we were in need of a veteran defenseman to provide some depth for us on the blue line, and Cameron is a player I’ve known for quite some time dating back to the Adirondack Wings, and he’s a good veteran left-handed defenseman. With Topeka on the outside looking in for the playoffs, I felt it was a good opportunity for us to add a veteran here who is motivated,” Doremus said.
The Topeka RoadRunners are currently in last place of the South Division. With the trade, Kuhl will be a part of the Titans’ dogfight to stay in a top-four position in the East. He expressed his gratitude to the RoadRunners, and at the same time he looks forward to playing hockey in New Jersey.
“This is a first-class organization here. The barn is awesome, the fans were good, I’m also coming off a bit of an injury so I’m excited to get back to playing and competing out there,” Kuhl said.
Kuhl will make his debut with the team tomorrow as the Titans kick off a home-and-home in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton against the Knights at 2:30 p.m.