2023 WHL Trade Deadline: Live Blog
The 2023 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline arrives Tuesday, January 10 at 3 p.m. MT, and there is no shortage of intrigue as teams look to load up in search of a run at the Ed Chynoweth Cup or, on the contrary, hope to restock the cupboards in order to speed up a rebuild.
Be sure to visit WHL.ca’s 2023 Trade Deadline: Live Blog for all the news on the latest trade activity from around the league as we keep you wired with the latest breaking deals over the week leading up to and including January 10.
Tuesday, January 10
6:20 p.m. MT – The 2023 WHL Trade Deadline came to a close as the Regina Pats added 2003-born forward Steel Quiring from the Everett Silvertips. In exchange, the Silvertips acquired a fourth-round pick in 2026.
Quiring, a 6-foot-2, 188-pound product of Vernon, B.C., has amassed 36 points (17G-19A) in 119 career regular season games. He was originally a fifth-round selection (89th overall) of the Kelowna Rockets in the 2018 WHL Draft.
4:45 p.m. MT – After adding Chicago Blackhawks prospect Colton Dach on the weekend, the Seattle Thunderbirds went one step further and added Arizona Coyotes prospect and 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medallist Dylan Guenther in a blockbuster deal with the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Guenther, who is currently on the active roster of the NHL’s Coyotes, was a member of Edmonton’s 2022 WHL Championship squad.
The late-breaking transaction sees the Thunderbirds land the 19-year-old Edmonton native along with 15-year-old prospect Jordon Ramsay and an eighth-round pick (2023).
Headed back to Edmonton is 15-year-old prospect Koji Gibson, a fourth-round pick (2024), and six conditional draft picks, including a first-round pick (2023), a second-round pick (2023), two fourth-round picks (2025, 2026), a fifth-round pick (2026), and a sixth-round pick (2024). Edmonton will receive the six conditional draft picks should Guenther be returned this season to the WHL by the NHL’s Coyotes.
Guenther, who was named WHL Rookie of the Year in 2019-20, has appeared in 22 games with the NHL’s Coyotes this season, tallying 11 point (3G-8A). Sent to represent Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, he chipped in with 10 points (7G-3A) as he helped his nation to a gold-medal performance.
The 6-foot-2, 182-pound forward skated in 137 career regular season games with the Oil Kings, posting 178 points (86G-92A). In 19 WHL Playoff appearances, he added another 21 points (13G-8A).
In Ramsay, the Thunderbirds receive a forward prospect who was originally selected in the eighth round (175th overall) by the Oil Kings. Ramsay is currently with Pacific Coast Academy U18 of the CSSHL, having recorded 14 points (3G-11A) in 22 games.
As for the Oil Kings, they receive Gibson – a 5-foot-9, 143-pound forward who is currently with Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep of the CSSHL. Gibson was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the fifth round (101st overall).
4:35 p.m. MT – The Portland Winterhawks made a surprise splash at the 2023 WHL Trade Deadline, landing the rights to San Jose Sharks prospect Ozzy Wiesblatt from the Prince Albert Raiders.
In exchange, the Raiders receive three conditional draft picks – a first-round pick (2025) and two second-round picks, both in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.
Wiebslatt, a 20-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., won a WHL Championship with the Prince Albert Raiders in 2019. He was a first-round selection (31st overall) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 NHL Draft. He is currently on the roster of the Sharks AHL affiliate – the San Jose Barracuda. In 17 games with AHL San Jose, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward has registered five points (1G-4A).
Originally selected in the second round (25th overall) of the 2017 WHL Draft, Wiesblatt has 179 points (58G-121A) in 195 career WHL regular season games.
4 p.m. MT – The Prince George Cougars added a point-per-game forward in the form of 2003-born Zac Funk. In exchange, the Calgary Hitmen have acquired 2004-born forward Carter MacAdams, two second-round picks (2023, 2024) and a fourth-round pick (2024).
Funk, a 19-year-old product of Coldstream, B.C., has registered 32 points (13G-19A) in 33 games this season. Originally a second-round selection (43rd overall) of the Hitmen in the 2018 WHL Draft, Funk notched a career-high 41 points (22G-19A) in 63 games during the 2021-22 campaign.
MacAdams, an 18-year-old product of South Surrey, B.C., has collected 21 points (6G-15A) in 36 games this season. Originally a fourth-round pick (70th overall) of the Cougars, MacAdams has notched 48 points (18G-30A) in 117 career games.
2:45 p.m. MT – The Vancouver Giants have acquired 2004-born defenceman Ben Feenan from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a seventh-round pick (2026).
The product of Surrey, B.C. skated in 22 games with the Americans this season.
2:30 p.m. MT – The Kamloops Blazers added some depth to the roster with the acquisition of forward Daylan Weigel in exchange for a ninth-round pick (2026) from the Swift Current Broncos.
Weigel, a product of Warman, Sask., has skated in 25 career WHL games.
1:00 p.m. MT – The Kelowna Rockets moved a conditional fifth-round pick (2025) in exchange for 2006-born prospect Landon Cowper.
Cowper was originally selected by the Prince Albert Raiders in the fourth round (69th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
1:00 p.m. MT – The Red Deer Rebels added some depth on the blueline, acquiring 2004-born Nick Andrusiak from the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for a seventh-round pick (2024).
The product of Tisdale, Sask., appeared in two games with the Winterhawks this season.
12:15 p.m. MT – The Lethbridge Hurricanes have brought back a familiar face, re-acquiring 2003-born goaltender Jared Picklyk from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a 10th-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.
In 11 games this season, Picklyk has gone 4-5-1-1. The product of Kelowna, B.C. started the campaign with Lethbridge before being dealt to Tri-City on November 17. He was originally a seventh-round selection (148th overall) of the Hurricanes in the 2018 WHL Draft.
11:00 a.m. MT – The Everett Silvertips added depth in the blue paint, acquiring 2005-born netminder Donavan Bodnar and a conditional sixth-round pick (2024) from division rival Portland in exchange for a fourth-round pick (2024).
Bodnar, a product of West St. Paul, Man., is currently with the Raiders Jr. Hockey Club of the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL), having earned a record of 1-2-0-0 in three appearances this season.
The 6-foot, 161-pound puckstopper was originally selected by the Winterhawks in the seventh round (141st overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
10:45 a.m. MT – The Edmonton Oil Kings added a veteran presence via the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, acquiring 20-year-old forward Loick Daigle from the Shawinigan Cataractes via CHL waivers.
A veteran of 108 career QMJHL games, Daigle has secured 50 points (24G-26A). He was a member of the 2021 QMJHL champion Victoriaville Tigres.
10:30 a.m. MT – The Saskatoon Blades made the first big splash on deadline day, acquiring Edmonton Oilers prospect Jake Chiasson from the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a first-round pick (2023) and two second-round picks (2025, 2026).
Chiasson, a 6-foot-2, 188-pound product of Abbotsford, B.C., has collected 28 points (10G-18A) in 37 games. Originally a first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2018 WHL Draft, Chiasson has accrued 81 points (30G-51A) in 141 career WHL games.
10:20 a.m. MT – The Brandon Wheat Kings were active on Tuesday, acquiring 2004-born forward Nolan Flamand from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for 2005-born forward Trae Johnson, a third-round pick (2023) and a fifth-round pick (2024).
Flamand, a 5-foot-9, 181-pound product of Saskatoon, Sask., has notched 16 points (4G-12A) in 35 games. Originally a second-round pick (27th overall) of the Rockets in the 2019 WHL Draft, Flamand has registered 63 points (15G-48A) in 114 career regular season games.
Johnson, a 6-foot, 170-pound product of Martensville, Sask., has skated in 37 games with the Wheat Kings this season. He was originally a second-round pick (35th overall) in the 2020 WHL Draft.
9:30 a.m. MT – The Brandon Wheat Kings are bringing Dawson Pasternak back to his home province of Manitoba following a deadline day deal with the Portland Winterhawks.
Headed to Brandon with Pasternak is a conditional fourth-round selection, while the Winterhawks receive a second-round pick (2026) a sixth-round pick (2025) and the rights to 2006-born forward Colin Frank, who was a first-round pick in the 2021 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft.
Pasternak, a 19-year-old who hails from Winnipeg, has registered 17 points (5G-12A) in 28 games with the Winterhawks this season. The 5-foot-9, 158-pound right winger was originally selected in the fourth round (85th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft.
Frank, a 16-year-old product of Ladera Ranch, Calif., is currently skating with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks (16U AAA). The 5-foot-8, 161-pound has recorded 83 points (40G-43A).
Monday, January 9
4:30 p.m. MT – The Edmonton Oil Kings have added 2003-born defenceman Jacob Hoffrogge, sending a seventh-round pick (2025) to the Everett Silvertips.
Hoffrogge, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound product of Saskatoon, Sask., has skated in 23 games with the Silvertips this season. He was originally selected by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the second round (41st overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft.
3:00 p.m. MT – The Tri-City Americans have acquired 17-year-old defenceman Jackson Romeril from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
Romeril, who hails from Calgary, Alta., appeared in 13 contests with the Rockets this season.
He was originally selected by Kelowna in the sixth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
2:00 p.m. MT – The NHL’s Winnipeg Jets announced former first-round pick Brad Lambert has been assigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Lambert, from Lahti, Finland, was acquired by Seattle in June of 2022 after being originally selected by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
This season, the 19-year-old forward has totalled three points in 14 games with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League after being selected 30th-overall by the Winnipeg Jets at the 2022 NHL Draft.
He recently competed with Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
2:00 p.m. MT – The NHL’s Winnipeg Jets announced former first-round pick Chaz Lucius has been assigned to the Portland Winterhawks.
Lucius, from White Bear Lake, Minn., was originally selected by Portland in the fourth round of the 2018 WHL Draft and was subsequently picked by the Winnipeg Jets with the 18th-overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft.
This season, the 19-year-old forward has amassed five points in 12 games with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League after competing at the University of Minnesota in 2021-22.
He recently helped the United States claim a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording seven points in seven games.
2:00 p.m. MT – The Tri-City Americans acquired 19-year-old defenceman Ethan Peters from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.
A product of Moose Jaw, Sask., and former winner of the Daryl K. “Doc” Seaman Memorial Trophy as WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Peters has collected a goal and six points in 39 games with Edmonton this season.
The blueliner was a member of the Oil Kings’ WHL Championship squad in 2022 after recording 17 points (2G-15A) during the 2021-22 regular season.
12:00 p.m. MT – The Everett Silvertips acquired 17-year-old prospect Nolan Chastko from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.
A product of Brandon, Man., Chastko has scored 24 points (10G-14A) in 29 games this season with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Chastko was originally signed to a WHL Standard Player Agreement in February 2022.
10:30 a.m. MT – Broncos General Manager Chad Leslie remained busy on Monday, adding 20-year-old Drew Englot from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for 20-year-old Raphael Pelletier and a second-round pick (2024).
Englot, who hails from Candiac, Sask., was acquired by the Silvertips in a Sunday evening blockbuster that sent Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer to the Kamloops Blazers. A 6-foot-2, 198-pound forward, Englot has secured 14 points (3G-11A) in 34 games this season. He started his WHL career as a member of the Regina Pats.
In exchange for Englot, the Silvertips acquired the speedy and skilled Pelletier. A product of Legal, Alta., the 5-foot-11, 164-pound Pelletier has secured 28 points (11G-17A) in 34 games this season.
10:00 a.m. MT – The Swift Current Broncos added 2002-born blueliner Mason Ward, sending 2003-born defenceman Kayden Sadhra-Kang to the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound product of Lloydminster, Alta., has skated in 30 games this season, tallying nine points (4G-5A).
Heading to Brandon is 6-foot-4, 202-pound Sadhra-Kang, a product of Richmond, B.C. In 33 games this season, he has recorded 10 points (1G-9A).
Sunday, January 8
7:30 p.m. MT – In one of the biggest trades in WHL history, the Kamloops Blazers made a massive splash ahead of the 2023 WHL Trade Deadline, adding defending WHL Defenceman of the Year Olen Zellweger and 20-year-old Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Hofer from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a truckload of assets.
While the Silvertips said goodbye to two fan favourites, they said hello to a future that includes 2023 NHL Draft eligible defenceman Kaden Hammell, 2005-born prospect Rylan Pearce and 2007-born prospect Jack Bakker, along with 20-year-old forward Drew Englot and 10 draft picks, including four first-round selections (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), two second-round picks (2023, 2026*), a third-round pick (2025), a fourth-round pick (2023), a fifth-round pick (2024), and a sixth-round pick (2026).
Zellweger, a prospect of the Anaheim Ducks, recently helped Canada to a gold-medal finish at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax. The 5-foot-10, 182-pound product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., has posted 28 points (10G-18A) in 23 games this season after notching 78 points (14G-64A) in 55 games last season.
Hofer, who was selected in the sixth-round (181st overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Capitals, has turned into one of the premiere power forwards after going unselected in the WHL Draft. In 36 games this season, the 6-foot-3, 192-pound pivot has registered 36 points (23G-13A).
Hammell represents a promising young blueliner as a former first-round selection of the Blazers. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-shot defenceman from Langley, B.C., has been identified by NHL Central Scouting as a player to watch for the 2023 NHL Draft.
Englot, a 6-foot-2, 198-pound product of Candiac, Sask., has secured 14 points (3G-11A) in 34 games this season. On Monday, January 9, the Silvertips flipped Englot to the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for Raphael Pelletier and a second-round pick (2024).
7:00 p.m. MT – The Winnipeg ICE landed one of the biggest fish ahead of the 2023 WHL Trade Deadline, acquiring Vancouver Giants captain Zack Ostapchuk in exchange for 2003-born forward Skyler Bruce, 2005-born forward Connor Dale, 2007-born prospects Hudson Landmark and Owen Brees, as well as three first-round picks (2024, 2025, 2026) and a fifth-round pick (2024).
Ostapchuk, a 19-year-old product of St. Albert, Alta., helped Canada claim gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax, N.S. The 6-foot-3, 198-pound prospect of the Ottawa Senators will add a strong two-way presence to an already loaded Winnipeg ICE lineup. In 21 games this season with Vancouver, Ostapchuk has registered 29 points (10G-19A).
Ostapchuk isn’t the only NHL prospect to join the ICE since the 2022-23 season began. On December 31, Ottawa Senators prospect Carson Latimer headed to Winnipeg via trade from Prince Albert, while San Jose Sharks prospect Mason Beaupit flew north to join the ICE after a trade from the Spokane Chiefs on November 10. The ICE also acquired Nashville Predators prospect Graham Sward from the Chiefs back on October 29.
Saturday, January 7
10:00 a.m. MT – Having already added NHL prospects Luke Prokop and Nolan Allan, along with high-scoring 20-year-old Kyle Crnkovic, the Seattle Thunderbirds continued to bolster an already impressive and imposing lineup by acquiring 19-year-old Chicago Blackhawks prospect Colton Dach from the Kelowna Rockets. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., is fresh off winning a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. In 75 career games with the Rockets, Dach collected 96 points (38G-58A).
In exchange for Dach and a fifth-round pick, the Rockets add 2005-born defenceman Ethan Mittelsteadt and 2004-born left winger Ty Hurley along with a first-round pick (2024), conditional second-round pick (2025) and conditional fourth-round pick (2023).
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