Cougars boost blueline with addition of 20-year-old Pauls
Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Cougars made a big addition on the blueline coming out of the holiday break, acquiring 20-year-old defenceman Chase Pauls from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
The two teams announced the transaction Wednesday morning as the WHL’s holiday trade moratorium was lifted.
A product of Osler, Sask., the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Pauls is a veteran of four WHL seasons, having skated in 190 career regular season contests – all with the Hurricanes.
Pauls was invited to development camp with the Los Angeles Kings this fall.
In 30 games this season, the big blueliner has tallied nine points (2G-7A). He set career highs during the 2021-22 campaign, recording eight goals, 14 assists and 22 points as he appeared in all 68 games for the Hurricanes.
Through 190 career games, Pauls has tallied 55 points (18G-37A). He has also dressed in eight career WHL Playoff games, registering one assist.
Passed over in the WHL Prospects Draft, Pauls signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Hurricanes in August 2019. He has served as an alternate captain for the Hurricanes in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Following the addition of Pauls, the Cougars now have three 20-year-old players on the roster, including defenceman Hudson Thornton and forward Zac Funk, who is tied for the WHL scoring lead.
Following the WHL holiday break, the Cougars return to action this evening (7 p.m. PT) when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at CN Centre.
The Hurricanes also hit the ice Wednesday evening (7 p.m. MT), welcoming the Swift Current Broncos to Enmax Centre in Lethbridge.