Bermuda (AP) Negotiations went into the wee hours of lunch time yesterday, but chief negotiators for both the Blues and the Payne Train emerged today with a blockbuster trade. Scotty Hunter, goaltending stalwart and future member of the coveted BBHA Hall of Fame was acquired by the Blues in return for an emerging star in Matty Clifford. This marks the first time in BBHA history that human resources have changed hands post-draft in an effort to bolster a line up.

Rumors have been running rampant since draft night after Kevin Haddall managed to fail in selecting a goalie in his second straight attempt at putting together a hockey team. Speculation grew yesterday when BBHA watchdog Corbin Kerr spied Payne Train members Cowan, Murray and Shuhla exiting MR Onions under cover yesterday.

Both teams feel they have completed their respective puzzles. Jeff Ingleman, the lead negotiator for the Blues, said "after Kevin blew the draft by failing to come up with a qualified netminder, we set our sights on acquiring Scotty Hunter. I was not about to be a part of a second Haddall tournament blunder and we committed to doing whatever we could to land the big fish." Ingleman conceded that his team had to give allot to acquired Hunter. "Matt Clifford is going to be a star in this league. We fought for four days to keep him on our roster. Eventually, we just had to give in to the negotiating prowess of Murray and Cowan. Those guys are good."

Murray and Cowan agreed. "We approached this deal knowing that we had Haddall by the nuts," uttered Cowan. "Yeah," concurred Murray, "we told them straight up that if they wanted to acquire Scotty, any deal would be done according to our rules."

Brett Payne, Captain of the Payne Train squad, said "we gave them our price and they accepted. We are delighted to have added such a bright young star to the team."

Rumors circulated earlier in the day that Kevin Haddall, the much maligned Blues Captain, was silenced by team mates Smith and Ingleman as they worked to the 11th hour to pull off a deal. Haddall reportedly said, "goalie? We don't need no stinking goalie!" upon hearing of the trade.

When notified that deal had been done, Matt Clifford could hardly contain his enthusiasm. "I feel honored, truly," were his first words. He later added that he "had been hoping (the Payne Train) would rescue (him) from the BBHA squalor that was life under the Haddall regime."

Hunter, a shoe-in first vote future hall of famer in the BBHA, was not so elated about the deal. Through a press statement via his agent, Hunter said "I'm approaching the end of my career. I admit that it is disappointing to be going to a club so obviously in a rebuilding phase, but hockey is a business. I'm going to the Blues with an open mind. I'm looking forward to helping their team win a game, but it just would have been nice to sip from the cup with Brett's team."

Clifford and Hunter will join their new teams this Saturday as the BBHA kicks off it's fall classic at the PCC.