The Storm traded power forward Troy Gottselig to the Halifax Rainmen in exchange for first- and third-round draft picks in the 2012 National Basketball League of Canada draft.
Centre Xavier Hansbro, who started the season with the Storm, has been signed again. Hansbro, who had to return home to Tennessee for personal reasons, averaged 14 points a game in the Storm’s first two regular-season games.
“We needed to open up a roster spot for Xavier Hansbro,” said Storm head coach Joe Salerno in explaining the moves. “Troy is a good player, he’s very solid. I think he’s going to get a lot of minutes for Halifax. . .
“We are pretty deep at that 4 (power forward), 5 (centre) position, especially getting Xavier Hansbro back. For Troy’s sake, he’s a hard-working player, he’s a good guy and is trying to advance his career. I think this was the best move for Troy as well.
“We are pretty deep at that 4 (power forward), 5 (centre) position, especially getting Xavier Hansbro back. For Troy’s sake, he’s a hard-working player, he’s a good guy and is trying to advance his career. I think this was the best move for Troy as well." - Storm head coach Joe Salerno
“We are happy with what we got out of the deal as well. Having a first- and third-round pick from Halifax in next year’s draft is a big thing for us. The combine is going to double in size next year as far as amount of players attending. We will have five picks in next year’s draft.”
Salerno is hoping Hansbro can take some pressure off power forward Mike Williams at the offensive end.
“He (Hansbro) also shoots the ball extremely well,” added Salerno. “After the start Mike Williams had the first three, four games of the season, teams have really started keying on him, sending a lot of double teams his way.”
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