Wenatchee Wild Announce Trade with Penticton Vees
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Penticton Vees of the Western Hockey League (WHL), acquiring 2007-born forward Aiden Grossklaus from the Vees along with the 10th overall pick in next month’s Canadian Hockey League Import Draft and a second-round selection in the 2029 WHL Prospects Draft, in exchange for 2007-born forward Jacob Kvasnicka and Wenatchee’s third-round selection in next month’s Import Draft.
Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, Grossklaus has a full season of junior experience under his belt, playing 59 games this past season for the United States Hockey League’s Des Moines Buccaneers and posting 19 points. The future Minnesota State Maverick also played two years of varsity hockey at Woodbury High School, notching 81 points over 53 appearances for the Royals. His 45 points in 2023-24 led the Royals’ roster, and his 36 points the previous year ranked second on the team.
Kvasnicka played 46 USHL games over the past two years for the United States National Team Development Program, and posted 56 points in 96 overall appearances for the USNTDP’s Under-17 and Under-18 teams. A University of Minnesota commit, the Burnsville, Minnesota native attended Wayzata High School and represented the U.S. this past year at the U18 world championships and the inaugural CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.
Next month’s draft will mark the first time that CHL teams will be able to select a third import player for their rosters, and teams are now able to trade picks in the draft. This year’s CHL Import Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, with Wenatchee now holding the 10th and 16th overall selections, along with a second-round selection at 77th overall.
The Wenatchee Wild sincerely welcome Aiden Grossklaus to the Wild family.
