2020 WHL Trade Deadline: Live Blog
The 2020 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline arrives Friday, 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 Trade Deadline 2020: 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.
Friday, January 10
4:36 p.m. MT- The Victoria Royals have acquired 19-year-old defenceman Ty Ettinger from the Winnipeg ICE in exchange for an eighth round pick at the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound, product of Ardrossan, Alta., this year has registered one assist in 11 games this year for the ICE.
Ettinger was selected in the fifth round, 95-overall, by the Brandon Wheat Kings at the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. – COMPLETE STORY
4:00 p.m.m MT- The Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos closed out their respective sides of the 2020 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline with a deal between each other.
Heading to the Blades is the recently-acquired Martin Fasko-Rudas while the retooling Broncos have acquired winger Matej Toman, prospect Cale Ashcroft, and a sixth-round selection in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft.
For a Blades team looking to rise in the standings, this is a strong add for them given the offensive upside of Fasko-Rudas. In a earlier Friday deal, the Broncos acquired Fasko-Rudas, Parker Hendren, and a pair of WHL Bantam Draft selections for captain Ethan Regnier and defenceman Kasper Puutio.
Heading the other way in the trade is 18-year-old Toman, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound product of Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
Originally selected fifth overall by the Prince George Cougars in the 2018 CHL Import Draft, Toman has compiled 12 points (4G-8A), including one power-play goal, in 37 games with the Blades and Cougars this season. For his WHL career, Toman has tallied 32 points (13G-19A), including two power-play goals and two game-winning goals in 103 WHL regular season games. – COMPLETE STORY
4:00 p.m MT- The Winnipeg ICE have landed Dallas Stars prospect and Red Deer Rebels captain Dawson Barteaux in a blockbuster deal to close out the 2020 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline.
As part of the deal, the ICE also acquired fifth-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and a sixth-round selection in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft.
In exchange, the Rebels have significantly aided their focus for the future by acquiring second-round selections in the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 WHL Bantam Drafts. They’ve also acquired a fifth-round choice in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft. – COMPLETE STORY
3:51 p.m. MT- For the second time in as many days, the Kelowna Rockets and Tri-City Americans have come together on a deal.
This time, the Rockets have acquired 17-year-old defenceman Jarod Newell from the Americans in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2022 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Newell was originally selected by the Americans in the fourth round, 82nd overall, of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6-foot-2, 211-pound product of Wainwright, Alta. has appeared in 45 WHL regular season games, posting two points (1G-1A). Newell’s first-ever WHL goal stood up as the game-winning goal against the Spokane Chiefs on December 31, 2018. COMPLETE STORY
3:48 p.m. MT- This afternoon the Medicine Hat Tigers joined the 2020 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline festivities and acquired 16-year-old defenceman Luke Rybinski from the Kamloops Blazers.
Heading to Kamloops in the trade is a Tigers sixth round pick at the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. – COMPLETE STORY
3:45 p.m. MT- The Kamloops Blazers have strengthened their depth in net this afternoon with the acquisition of 18-year-old Brett Balas from the Spokane Chiefs.
Heading to the Chiefs in the trade is a ninth-round pick at the 2021 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Balas, the product of Calgary, Alta., was selected by the Prince Albert Raiders in the third round, 51-overall, at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6-foot-0, 177-pound goaltender has appeared in five games in the WHL posting a record of 2-2-0-0 with a 3.93 goals against average (GAA) and a 0.849 save percentage (SV%). –COMPLETE STORY
3:44 p.m. MT – This afternoon the Broncos have continued to be active on the 2020 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline with the acquisition of 17-year-old forward Bode Hagan from the Brandon Wheat Kings.
In exchange for Hagan, the Wheaties have received a sixth round pick at the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.
Hagan, the 5-foot-8, 179-pound forward was selected in the eighth round, 162-overall, by Brandon at the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. – COMPLETE STORY
3:22 p.m. MT- The Kamloops Blazers have acquired 19-year-old forward Tyler Carpendale from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a conditional third-round selection in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
A 6-foot-4, 202-pound product of Powell River, B.C., Carpendale has yet to appear in a game this season. He was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the sixth round, 125th overall, of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
“Tyler has been a good T-Bird in his time with the team,” said Thunderbirds general manager Bil La Forge. “We wish him the best in Kamloops.”-COMPLETE STORY
2:49 p.m. MT- This afternoon the Regina Pats have acquired 17-year-old centre Cole Carrier from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for a sixth and a conditional eighth round selection at the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
The 6-foot-0, 190-pound forward was selected in the fourth round, 71-overall, by the Rockets at the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. Last season Carrier tallied an assist in eight regular season games with the Rockets.
“We are happy to add Cole to our team,” said Pats VP of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Paddock. “He is a good young player that adds to the depth of our 2002 born group.” – COMPLETE STORY
2:42 p.m. MT- In a Western Hockey League Trade Deadline deal Friday, the Saskatoon Blades acquired 19-year-old forward Caiden Daley from the Regina Pats. For the Pats, they acquired a sixth-round selection in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.
A 6-foot-1, 178-pound product of Winnipeg, Man., Daley has recorded 10 points (2G-8A) in 25 games with the Pats this season. Also appearing in 10 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings this season, Daley has appeared in 35 games, posting 12 points (2G-10A), including a single power-play goal.
Originally selected 22nd overall by the Wheat Kings in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Daley has appeared in 237 WHL regular season games, posting 66 points (20G-46A), including two power-play goals, two short-handed goals, and two game-winning goals. COMPLETE STORY
11:55 a.m. MT – The Everett Silvertips acquired captain Ethan Regnier and 2020 NHL Draft prospect Kasper Puutio from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for forward Martin Fasko-Rudas, defenceman Parker Hendren, a first-round selection in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, and a second-round selection in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft.
A 5-foot-10, 184-pound product of Prince Albert, Sask., the 19-year-old Regnier had spent his entire WHL career with the Broncos, originally selected by them in the 11th round, 230th overall, of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. This season, Regnier has posted 21 points (9G-12A), including two power-play goals and one game-winning goal in 34 games, leading the team in scoring. He was a part of the team’s WHL Championship victory in 2018.
Looking to aid in the team’s defence, Puutio is a key add in the now and the future for the Silvertips. The 5-foot-11, 181-pound rear guard was selected first overall by the Broncos at the 2019 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. In 35 games this season, the 17-year-old Vaasa, Finland product has recorded 16 points (1G-15A). Puutio is currently listed as a ‘C’-rated prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Though it may end up being a later selection, the deal also allows the Broncos to move into the first round of this year’s WHL Bantam Draft. Their first-round pick in 2020 was originally sent to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the deal to acquire goaltender Stuart Skinner and Giorgio Estephan. Last year, the pick was traded to the Regina Pats in the deal to acquire Jake Leschyshyn and Nick Henry.
The deal will also see the acquisition of Fasko-Rudas and Hendren.
Last season, he set career-high totals in all three major offensive categories with 31 points (15G-16A) in 60 games. Those figures included three power-play goals, one short-handed goal, and one game-winning goal. For his WHL career, Fasko-Rudas has tallied 54 points (25G-29A) in 147 WHL regular season games, posting four power-play goals, one short-handed goal, and five game-winning goals as well.
In Hendren, the Broncos will see the Regina, Sask. product return close to home. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound defenceman was selected in the seventh round, 134th overall, of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by the Vancouver Giants. In 38 games this season with the Silvertips, he has two points (1G-1A). For 74 WHL regular season games, Hendren has four points (2G-2A).
11:00 a.m. MT – The Kelowna Rockets have acquired import forward Jonas Peterek from the Calgary Hitmen in advance of the Western Hockey League’s 2020 Trade Deadline.
As part of the trade, the Hitmen have acquired a fifth-round selection in the 2021 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
A 6-foot-2, 179-pound product of Havirov, Czech Republic, the 18-year-old Peterek is a solid add to provide forward depth while also using the Rockets’ second import slot. Through 32 games this season with the Hitmen, Peterek has 16 points (8G-8A), including a game-winning goal. The Hitmen chose Peterek 37th overall in the 2019 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. COMPLETE STORY
Thursday, January 9
8:30 p.m. MT – In a swap of veteran forwards, the Brandon Wheat Kings acquire 19-year-old right win Reid Perepeluk from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for 18-year-old forward Jonny Hooker.
This season with the Cougars, Perepeluk has nine points (4G-5A) in 31 games. He has 19 points (8G-11A) in 96 WHL regular season games with the Cougars.
Heading the other way in the deal is Hooker, who has tallied 13 points (8G-5A), including one power-play goal, in 34 games with the Wheaties this season. In 134 WHL regular season games, Hooker has recorded 27 points (14G-13A), including the aforementioned power-play goal. – COMPLETE STORY
8:30 p.m. MT – The Saskatoon Blades acquire 2020 NHL Draft prospect Rhett Rhinehart and a third-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for the defenceman Majid Kaddoura, forward Jayden Watson and a first-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
Rhinehart is a solid addition to the Blades’ group of 2001-born players and is currently listed as a ‘C’-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2020 NHL Draft. A 6-foot-4, 205-pound product of Lloydminster, Alta., Rhinehart was selected 13th overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. This season with the Cougars, Rhinehart has 15 points (3G-12A), including one power-play goal and one game-winning goal in 36 games. Rhinehart has 44 points (11G-33A) in 166 WHL regular season games with the Raiders and Cougars.
Kaddoura has spent the last two seasons in blue and gold, recording 12 points (3G-9A) in 77 WHL regular season games. Also acquired was 16-year-old forward prospect Jayden Watson. Playing with the Grande Prairie Midget AAA Storm of the Albert Midget AAA Hockey League this season, he’s recorded 21 points (5G-16A) in 25 games. – COMPLETE STORY
6:00 p.m. MT – The Vancouver Giants acquired Washington Capitals prospect Eric Florchuk and a seventh-round selection in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for forward Evan Patrician, a first-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, and a second-round selection in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.
Florchuk has posted 24 points (11G-13A), including four power-play goals, one short-handed goal, and two game-winning goals, in 33 games with the Blades this season. Heading the other way in the trade is the 18-year-old Patrician. In 37 games this season, he has eight points (2G-6A) with the Giants.
“We are very excited to welcome Eric Florchuk to the Vancouver Giants,” said general manager Barclay Parneta. “He’s an experienced, versatile, natural center that has taken a lot of face-offs in his career, which is invaluable. And he adds a scoring touch.” – COMPLETE STORY
4:30 p.m. MT – In the second deal of the day for the Calgary Hitmen the team has acquired 18-year-old forward Connor Gabruch from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for a fifth round pick at the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Gabruch, the product of Saskatoon, Sask., has spent his last two seasons with the Chiefs, tallying 13 points (6G-7A) in 84 regular season games in the league.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound right winger has notched seven points (3G-4A) in 36 games this season including one game-wing goal. – COMPLETE STORY
3:30 p.m. MT- In a mammoth deal on the eve of the 2020 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline, the Victoria Royals made a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors to acquire Anaheim Ducks prospect Brayden Tracey as well as goaltender Adam Evanoff. The Royals also acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft as part of the trade.
The addition of Tracey is massive for a Royals team that will be looking to step up their offensive game while also moving up within the competitive B.C. Division. The 6-foot-0, 176-pound product of Calgary, Alta. had totalled 38 points (15G-23A) in 28 games with the Warriors this season.
Selected 29th overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2019 National Hockey League Draft, Tracey burst onto the WHL scene in the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season, recording 81 points (36G-45A) in 66 games, with 12 power-play goals and 11 game-winning goals featuring for the rookie forward. The Warriors originally selected Tracey 21st overall at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.
Returning to the Warriors are a trio of players, including 2020 NHL Draft prospect Brock Gould. Recently named to Team Red for the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, Gould is enjoying a strong sophomore season, posting a 6-6-1-0 record, 2.81 GAA, 0.899 SV%, and one shutout in 15 games. Selected by the Royals in the eighth round, 170th overall, of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, Gould has compiled a 13-20-2-1 record, 3.42 GAA, 0.882 SV%, and one shutout in 48 games.
Gould is currently listed as a ‘C’-rated prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound goaltender is a product of Colorado Springs, Colo. COMPLETE STORY
3:30 p.m. MT- The Kamloops Blazers and Moose Jaw Warriors have agreed to a swap of import players prior to Friday’s WHL Trade Deadline.
Defenceman Libor Zabransky is heading to the division-leading Blazers while the Warriors have acquired forward Martin Lang, addressing specific needs for each of the teams.
In Zabransky, the Blazers have added key 19-year-old depth to their blue line as they prepare for a strong run. With a Warriors team that appears to be geared toward the future, the addition of the 18-year-old Lang brings in a key young forward who has displayed strong scoring potential in the league.
Heading the other way in the deal is the younger Lang. A 5-foot-10, 175-pound product of Rokycany, Czech Republic, Lang has good potential in the short and long term.
This season, the winger has tallied 19 points (7G-12A) in 31 games with the Blazers. His totals include a power-play goal and a game-winning goal.
Selected 14th overall by the Blazers at the 2018 CHL Import Draft, Lang posted an impressive 33 points (11G-22A), including two power-play goals, in 65 games last season. COMPLETE STORY
1:00 p.m. MT: The Calgary Hitmen and Everett Silvertips came together for a trade where both teams look to fill different spots in their forward groups.
In the deal, the Hitmen have acquired 19-year-old forward, Conrad Mitchell and a fifth-round pick at the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam draft with right-wing forward Hunter Campbell going to his home town Silvertips.
Heading home to the Silvertips is 18-year-old, Hunter Campbell who has spent the last three seasons with the Hitmen. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound right winger has 11 points this season (3G-8A) in 31 games this year and is on pace to set career highs in goals and points.
Conrad Mitchell, the product of Thorsby, Alta., has spent the last two seasons with the Silvertips, tallying 10 points (5G-5A) in 72 regular season games. This year Mitchell has tallied five points (4G-1A) in 29 games with the Silvertips. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward plays a physical game and will look to make an instant impact for the Hitmen as the team pushes for a playoff position. COMPLETE STORY
11:15 a.m. MT- The Tri-City Americans have made another significant addition with the acquisition of 6-foot-1, 172-pound forward Jadon Joseph from the Kelowna Rockets.
The two teams announced the deal on Thursday morning with Joseph heading to Tri-City in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick at the 2022 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Joseph, the product of Sherwood Park, Alta., has split time this season with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Rockets, amassing 19 points (8G-11A) in 37 games played.
The 20-year-old has spent the last four seasons WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Regina Pats, Vancouver Giants, Warriors and Rockets, tallying 119 points (42G-77A) in 226 regular season games. COMPLETE STORY
10:30 a.m MT- The Prince Albert Raiders have made a bold move for the short and long-term situation of their crease.
Thursday, the defending Western Hockey League Champions acquired 19-year-old goaltender Max Paddock from the Regina Pats in exchange for 17-year-old forward Jakob Brook, a second-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and a conditional third-round selection in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft.
A 6-foot-2, 167-pound product of Brandon, Man., Paddock has undoubtedly been the most valuable player for the Pats this season, keeping them in the Eastern Conference Wild Card picture into the second half of the regular season. Through 29 games, Paddock has a 10-13-3-2 record, 3.31 goals-against average, 0.905 save percentage, and two shutouts. Paddock’s 893 saves this season rank as the fourth-most among all WHL goaltenders.
In return, the Pats have acquired the 6-foot-2, 184-pound Brook. Originally a second-round selection, 40th overall, of the Raiders in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, Brook is a solid young player for the Pats to add to their rebuild. In 38 games this season, Brook has nine points (3G-6A), including one game-winning goal. COMPLETE STORY
10:00 a.m. MT- D-Jay Jerome has signed a Western Hockey League Standard Player Agreement with the Swift Current Broncos.
The Broncos announced the news Thursday morning, giving them three 20-year-old forwards on their roster. Jaxan Kaluski and Hayden Ostir will serve as the team’s other 20-year-old players.
A 6-foot-2, 184-pound product of Lethbridge, Alta., Jerome was traded to his hometown Hurricanes on June 17, 2019 by the Victoria Royals. In 40 games with the Hurricanes, Jerome had posted 28 points (14G-14A), including two power-play goals, two short-handed goals, and one game-winning goal. COMPLETE STORY
Wednesday, January 8
11:45 p.m. MT – The Kelowna Rockets have added strength to their defence with the acquisition of 18-year-old rear guard Tyson Feist from the Regina Pats.
“We’re just following up to what we’ve been saying all along, we need to acquire another defenceman,” said Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton. “I think that the acquisition of Tyson will help us, he plays with a bite and brings a physical presence.
The 6-foot-2, 181-pound product of Dawson Creek, B.C. has eight assists in 34 games this season and 16 assists in 86 WHL regular season games. COMPLETE STORY
2:00 p.m. MT- On Wednesday, the Winnipeg ICE and Spokane Chiefs agreed to a deal that’ll see the Chiefs acquire 19-year-old Brad Ginnell. In return, the ICE have acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft and a sixth-round selection in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.
“Brad is a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the lineup and in all situations,” said Spokane general manager Scott Carter. “He has the ability to score, is comfortable on the power play and brings a lot of WHL experience.”
A 6-foot-1, 170-pound product of Calgary, Alta., Ginnell had posted 17 points (10G-7A) in 34 games with the ICE this season, including five power-play goals. COMPLETE STORY
12:03 p.m. MT- The Swift Current Broncos have made a move to strengthen their crease, acquiring 19-year-old goaltender Isaiah DiLaura from the Portland Winterhawks.
In return, Portland has acquired a conditional seventh-round selection in the 2021 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Originally listed by the Prince George Cougars, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound DiLaura is a product of St. Paul, Minn. In eight games with the Winterhawks this season, DiLaura has a 4-2-0-0 record, 3.27 goals-against average, and a 0.891 save percentage. COMPLETE STORY
Tuesday, January 7
10:20 a.m. MT-The Moose Jaw Warriors have added depth to their crease following the acquisition of 2001-born goaltender Boston Bilous from the Prince Albert Raiders.
The two teams announced the deal Tuesday morning, with the Raiders receiving a fifth-round pick (2020) and a seventh-round pick (2021) in exchange for the rights to Bilous.
Bilous, an 18-year-old product of Langley, B.C., appeared in a team-high 32 games with the Raiders prior to the trade, collecting a record of 15-9-4-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .889 save percentage and two shutouts. COMPLETE STORY
Monday, January 6
3:00 pm MT-This afternoon the Tri-City Americans strengthened their defensive depth making a trade with the Edmonton Oil Kings to acquire 18-year-old defenceman Aidan Lawson.
In exchange, the Oil Kings received a conditional eighth-round selection in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. COMPLETE STORY
2:53 p.m. MT-The Lethbridge Hurricanes re-acquired 20-year-old forward Brett Davis from the Red Deer Rebels.
In exchange, the Rebels received a fourth-round selection in the 2021 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
A 6-foot-1, 192-pound product of Oakbank, Man., Davis has posted 24 points (9G-15A) in 37 games this season with the Rebels. Those figures include a single power-play goal. COMPLETE STORY
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