RAIDERS & BLADES MAKE THREE-PLAYER TRADE

SASKATOON, SK – The Saskatoon Blades and General Manager Lorne Molleken are pleased to announce that they have acquired 1993-born defenceman Dylan Busenius and a pair of draft picks from the Prince Albert Raiders.

In exchange for Busenius and the draft picks, the Blades have traded 1993-born left-winger Collin Valcourt and 1995-born defenceman Ryan Coghlan to the Raiders.  The picks incoming to Saskatoon are 2nd and 5th round selections, both in the upcoming 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

“Dylan is a veteran in this league and someone that we’ve seen grow and mature as a player over the last number of years,” said Blades general manager Lorne Molleken.  “We feel that his experience, skillset and leadership abilities will be a great fit for our young hockey club and we look forward to having him join us in Saskatoon.”

Busenius is currently in his 5th WHL season after being the 16th overall selection in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers. 

The Sherwood Park, Alberta product currently has 6 goals and 13 points to go along with 34 PIMs in 35 games.  The 6’0, 204 pound left-hand shot is coming off a career-year in the WHL after he put up 8 goals and 42 points in 71 games between the Raiders and Tigers in 2012-13.

“Collin Valcourt is a player that we brought in to be a leader both on and off the ice for our hockey club and that’s exactly what he did with us,” said Molleken.  “He’s been nothing but a class act and we know he’ll do good things in Prince Albert.”

“We also have to recognize the work of Ryan Coghlan,” added Molleken.  “He worked his way onto our list last year and eventually cracked our roster after a good training camp this season.  He’s a hard worker and we wish him the best.”

Dylan Busenius is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday night, wearing number 23, as the Blades finish off their home and home with the Raiders. 

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Prince Albert SK – The Prince Albert Raiders have acquired a pair of Blades, 20-year-old left-winger Collin Valcourt and 18-year-old defenceman Ryan Coghlan in exchange for 20-year-old defenceman Dylan Busenius as well as 2nd and 5th round picks in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

Valcourt has played in 36 games with Saskatoon this season, scoring 14 times and adding 24 assists for 38 points. The 6’2”, 216-pound product of Red Deer, Alberta has 231 games of WHL experience with 134 points and 359 penalty minutes in his career, as well as a plus-32 rating.

Coghlan has picked up 4 goals, 6 assists and 14 penalty minutes in his rookie season in the WHL. The 6’, 234-pound defenceman from Nanaimo, British Columbia spent last season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals, recording 5 points and 55 penalty minutes in 47 games.

“We would like to welcome Collin and Ryan to our organization. Collin is a big, power-forward type player who will complement our current mix up front well and Ryan is a young, right-handed defenceman that will fit in with our group of defence,” said Raiders General Manager Bruno Campese.

“We would like to thank Dylan for his contributions to our organization and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours,” he added.