Halifax’s Andrew Wigginton is getting the chance of a lifetime with the team he grew up cheering for.
The 18-year-old right-winger got a late Christmas present on Dec. 28 when the Halifax Mooseheads acquired him from the Bathurst Titan for a ninth-round draft choice.
Wigginton was whisked into the Mooseheads’ lineup a day later, dressing in the home-and-home Battle of Nova Scotia with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, and is edging toward a permanent second-half roster spot with the club.
“It’s been awesome,” said Wigginton, who appeared in four games with the Titan last season but was skating with the junior A Halifax Lions this season. “I’ve lived here all my life and growing up I always wanted to play for this team.”
The five-foot-11 182-pounder is a former Dartmouth Subways captain who had 42 points in 35 games last season in the Nova Scotia major midget ranks. He had 13 points in 25 games with the Lions before joining the Mooseheads.
Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell was looking for depth for the second half and Wigginton came recommended by assistant coach Jason Troini, who coached Wigginton with the Subways. Wigginton’s character was the key factor.
“I’ve liked what he’s brought for us,” Russell said. “He’s been a captain, he has good leadership skills, he works hard and he’s a good penalty killer. He thinks the game well, he knows the game well, and he’s challenging or a spot.”
