Rockets acquire Conner McDonald from Oil Kings, place Carson Sass on waivers
Kelowna Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton announced that the Rockets made a trade and a roster move on Saturday night.
The Rockets acquired 20-year-old defenceman Conner McDonald from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for Kelowna’s 2021 first-round pick in the WHL Bantam Draft and third-round pick at the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft.
To make room for McDonald, the Rockets have placed 20-year-old defenceman Carson Sass on waivers.
“We’re excited to have Conner join our team,” said Hamilton. “We’ve been looking for another defenceman that has power play experience. With it looking more and more like we’re not going to get Lassi Thomson back, we felt it was imperative that we get somebody who can help out on the back end of our power play. With the addition of Conner, we hope he can eat up some of the workload that the other defencemen are facing.
“Unfortunately with this move, we have to place Sass on waivers. He has been a great addition to our hockey club for the first half of the year. We’d like to thank Carson for everything that he has done for our organization, we wish him the best moving forward.”
McDonald has played in 15 games for the Oil Kings this season, posting 8 points (2G, 6A), 16 penalty minutes and a +13 plus-minus rating.
The Delta, B.C. product has appeared in 271 WHL regular-season games, collecting 131 points (40G, 91A) and 230 penalty minutes. Last season he posted a career-high 19 goals and 50 points.
McDonald was invited to attend the Ottawa Senators rookie camp and tournament this past fall, earning an invite to the Sens main camp.
The 6’0, 192-pound defenceman was originally drafted by the Kamloops Blazers during the second round (No. 24) during the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.
Sass was traded to the Rockets from the Tri-City Americans in September. He had two assists and 18 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Rockets this season.
The Rockets will host the Vancouver Giants this Wednesday for the Winmar Hockey and Winter Gear Drive and their final game before the Christmas break. Fans are asked to bring new or used mittens, toques, gloves, jackets and hockey gear to donate. Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
