Some unforeseen circumstances have forced the Checkers to find a back-up goalie for Thursday night’s contest in Manitoba.

Tom McCollum, who was acquired from Stockton at yesterday’s AHL trade deadline, joined his new team in Manitoba, but his gear didn’t. With McCollum unable to suit up tonight, the Checkers have signed local netminder Byron Spriggs to an ATO.

Spriggs, 23, is in his junior year at the University of Manitoba, where he has logged a 12-8-0 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. The Winnipeg native will back up Daniel Altshuller against the Moose.