Bulls deal captain Bowers to fill out roster

When you grow an attachment to a sports team and its players, it’s hard to watch one or more of them go. Especially when said players are team leaders and fan favorites.

Such was the case for the San Francisco Bulls, as they traded forward Justin Bowers and defenseman Sacha Guimond to the Gwinnett Gladiators.

Guimond, 21, had just been loaned to the Bulls’ AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, at the end of last week. He is currently tied for fourth in the ECHL for points scored by a defenseman with 8 goals and 17 assists.

Bowers, who was also the Bulls’ team captain, was third in scoring on the team with 29 points, (8 goals, 21 assists.)

President and Head Coach Pat Curcio said in a press release Monday afternoon:

“It’s always hard to move one of your best players, especially your captain, but we felt after the lockout our lineup was depleted. We wanted to add some young skill to our team. … We wish Justin and Sacha all the best the rest of the season and in the future.”

In exchange for Bowers and Guimond, the Bulls acquired forwards Rylan Galiardi and Christian Ouellet, and defensman Cody Carlson.

Galiardi, 26, is third in scoring among players on Gwinnett’s active roster with 21 points in 39 games. Rookie Ouellet, 21, has tallied eight goals in 31 games. Carlson, 21, was the top-scoring defenseman on the Prince George Cougars during the 2011-2012 season, where he also served as alternate captain.

The Bulls resume play on the road this Friday against the Stockton Thunder. They return to the Cow Palace Saturday to host the Thunder. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m.