Pats acquire Bear and Chichkin from Hitmen
Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats have acquired 2007-born forward Connor Bear and 2005-born defenceman Aleksey Chichkin from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025 (via SAS) and a third-round pick in 2026.
“We are very pleased to add Aleksey and Connor to our hockey club,” Regina Pats VP, Hockey Operations and GM Alan Millar said. “In this deal, it was important to add to our defence core, while adding another good, young player to our group. We look forward to Aleksey and Connor’s future with the Pats.”
Bear, 17, tallied 23 points (10G-13A) in 34 games with the Warman Wildcats U18 AAA club in 2023-24, including six points (3G-3A) in five playoff games. The Ochapowace, Sask. product played for the RINK Hockey Canada in Winnipeg (U16 Prep) in 2022-23, recording 57 points (27G-30A) in 29 games as well as nine points (4G-5A) in five playoff games. The 5-foot-9, 163 lb. left-shot forward was drafted by the Hitmen in the sixth-round (#117) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Bear also won silver with Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games in 2022.
Aleksey Chichkin, 19, tallied 10 points (1G-9A) and 92 penalty minutes in 61 games last season with the Hitmen. The New Westminster, B.C. product is a 6-foot-4, 218 lb. left-handed defenceman that was undrafted by the Hitmen, and signed on March 23, 2023.
In a corresponding move, the Pats have released 2005-born forward Harper Lolacher, 2006-born forward Dru Mushumanski and 2006-born defenceman Aaron Krestanowich. The club has also reassigned 2007-born forward Kristian Lacelle to the Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA program.
