GIANTS ACQUIRE THREE FIRST-ROUND PICKS, 2 FORWARDS, 2 PROSPECTS, AND A FIFTH-ROUND PICK FROM WINNIPEG FOR ZACK OSTAPCHUK
For Immediate Release: January 8, 2023
Photos by: Zach Peters (WPG), Rob Wilton (VAN)
Graphic by: Jamison Derksen
Vancouver, B.C. – General Manager Barclay Parneta announced today that the Vancouver Giants have acquired a trio of first-round draft picks (2024, 2025, 2026), 2003-born forward Skyler Bruce (Winnipeg, MB), 2005-born forward Connor Dale (St Albert, AB), prospects Owen Brees (2022 5th Rounder) and Hudson Landmark (2022 8th Rounder), and a 2024 5th round draft pick from the Winnipeg ICE in exchange for 2003-born forward Zack Ostapchuk.
Originally selected 12th overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2017 WHL Prospects Draft, Ostapchuk has produced 48 goals and 48 assists for 96 points in 153 Western Hockey League games, along with 132 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 14 playoff games, where he piled up 23 points. The Giants captain also has won back-to-back gold medals with Canada at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.
In 33 games this season with the ICE, 2003-born forward Skyler Bruce has netted 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points and has a +9 rating. Overall in his career, Bruce has accumulated 70 points in 136 Western Hockey League games. He was originally drafted by the ICE in Round 2 of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.
Connor Dale has 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 24 games as a WHL rookie this season. The 2005-born forward was selected in the 9th round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft by the ICE.
Owen Brees (Lethbridge, AB) was selected by Winnipeg in the 5th round, 110th overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. The 2007-born defender has 18 points in 20 games for the Northern Alberta Xtreme U17 Prep this season.
Hudson Landmark (Sherwood Park, AB) was also a 2022 Draft Pick by the ICE, in the 8th round, 176th overall. The 6’1 forward has 18 points in 24 games this season for the Sherwood Park Kings U18 AAA.
Giants GM Barclay Parneta adds: “We would like to thank Zack for his leadership and contributions to the Giants organization. He has left his mark on the Giants that will influence it positively for years to come. We look forward to welcoming Skyler Bruce and Connor Dale to the Vancouver Giants.”
