Brett Roulston hopes a fresh start with the Jr. A Nanaimo Clippers will help him rediscover his offensive touch.

The 20-year-old Whitehorse native spent the past two seasons with the Prince George Cougars in the Western Hockey League. He was the only Yukoner playing major junior hockey at the time.

Roulston signed with the Vancouver Island squad last month and is currently in the rigours of training camp.

“Before I played in the WHL, I was really interested in Nanaimo,” he told the Star yesterday. “If it didn’t work out in Prince George for me, this is where I was going to come.”

In Nanaimo, Roulston joins his former midget teammate and friend Ryan Forbes, a native of Kitimat, B.C.

After an eight-point season last year, Roulston said things unravelled for him in Prince George.

“I wasn’t really interested in going back,” he admitted. “Things weren’t working out there, so I decided I was going to try another path.”

Clippers coach and general manager Mike Vandekamp said Roulston has been on his radar for the past few seasons.

When Roulston became available, he moved quickly, making a swap with the Prince George Spruce Kings in return for the Yukoner’s Jr. A rights.

“Brett was in a tough spot,” Vandekamp said. “The overage situation in major junior can be difficult ... Every year, there’s those few 20-year-olds who find it tough to find a spot.”

While major junior hockey teams in Canada are allowed only three 20-year-old players, Jr. A teams can ice six – but only two that have experience in Canada’s top junior hockey league.

Vandekamp said he hopes to employ Roulston as a gritty power forward with a nose for the net in Nanaimo.

“He’s big and strong for our level of hockey,” the coach said. “He’s a grown man, really.

“He skates really well and I think he can provide some offence for us and find that touch. I think he’s got that in him.”

Vandekamp said Roulston’s hockey experiences will also provide leadership in the dressing room.

Meanwhile, Roulston said a spike in ice time and more offensive opportunities will be welcomed.

“It’s a good opportunity right now,” he said.

“The WHL’s a great league, but it just wasn’t working out with Prince George. Lots of things could happen here ... lots of doors could open.”