WHEAT KINGS LAND ALL STAR
Brandon, Manitoba – For the second time in less than a week, Wheat Kings’ general manager Kelly McCrimmon has pulled the trigger on a blockbuster Western Hockey League trade and as a result Brandon has managed to secure last year’s scoring champion and Most Valuable Player as Thursday’s trade deadline draws near.
The Wheat Kings have acquired all star netminder Josh Harding from the Regina Pats in exchange for 17-year old goalkeeper Dustin Slade, the playing rights to 15-year old Ryan McDonald and a third round pick in the 2004 WHL Bantam draft.
Chosen the WHL’s Most Valuable Player and Top Goaltender last season, the 19-year old Regina product arrived home Tuesday night after playing for the Silver Medal winning Canadians at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Finland.
A second round draft choice (38th overall) of the Minnesota Wild in the 2002 National Hockey League entry draft, Harding has appeared in 28 games this season, posting a sparkling 2.41 goals against average, two shutouts and a league leading .927 save percentage.
During his MVP season a year ago, the 6’1” 190 lb Harding compiled a 2.75 goals against and a .906 save percentage in 57 games for the fourth place Pats. In 127 career games, Harding has a career 2.56 goals against average and a franchise record nine shutouts.
Harding becomes the second WHL all star to be obtained by the Wheat Kings in the past six days. On New Years Day, the Wheat Kings obtained 2002-03 WHL scoring champion Erik Christensen as well as veteran defenceman Tyler Boldt from the Kamloops Blazers.
Obtained from Kamloops in that deal, Slade appeared in one game for the Wheat Kings, stopping 24 shots in backstopping Brandon to a 5-3 victory over the Blades in Saskatoon on Saturday night. A second round pick of the Wheat Kings in last year’s bantam draft, McDonald is currently playing AAA midget hockey in Prince Albert.
“This is a very significant trade for our organization,” says Brandon general manager Kelly McCrimmon. “Our club has made strides since Christmas, complimented by our recent acquisition of Eric Christensen and Tyler Boldt. This trade adds the WHL MVP and top goaltender and we feel it solidifies our club as a legitimate contender.”
Harding is expected to make his Wheat King debut on Friday night when Brandon travels to Prince Albert to face off against the Eastern Division leading Raiders. Tonight, the Wheat Kings will be putting a 3-game winning and a five game unbeaten streak on the line against the visiting Kamloops Blazers at the Keystone Centre.
