BLADES REBUILD CONTINUES

SASKATOON, SK – The Saskatoon Blades and general manager Lorne Molleken are extremely pleased to continue the transition to a younger hockey club by announcing a trade with the Prince Albert Raiders.

The Blades have traded captain Graeme Craig, a 7th round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft and a 5th round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft to the Prince Albert Raiders. In return, the Blades receive 1993-born defenceman MacKenzie Johnston, 1995-born defenceman Tyler Dea, a 3rd round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft and a 5th round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.

“We continue the process of getting younger as a hockey club and adding pieces to this rebuild,” said Blades general manager Lorne Molleken. “Tyler Dea is a good young defenceman with size, who can step right into our lineup and contribute. MacKenzie Johnston is a veteran in this league, we like the leadership that he brings and he feel that he will be a good character guy in our dressing room.”

Dea is in his 1st full WHL season, having appeared in 11 games with the Raiders so far during 2013-14. He’s posted a pair of assists, a +1 rating and 2 PIMs. The St. Albert, Alberta product stands 6’4 and was a 6th round selection by the Raiders in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. Last season in M-AAA he was an all-star while posting 16 points and 18 PIMs in 32 games with the St. Albert Raiders.

Johnston is in his 5th full WHL season, appearing in 38 games between the Raiders and Kelowna Rockets this season. The 6’2 product of Swift Current, Saskatchewan has put up a goal and 13 points to go along with 8 PIMs in 2013-14. Overall, he’s appeared in 269 career regular season WHL games, putting up 46 points and 83 PIMs.

“Trading your captain is never an easy process,” added Molleken. “Graeme has been a true leader as a member of the Saskatoon Blades. He’s a true pro and a young man with great character. He’s meant a lot to this team and to our community. We want to wish him all the best with the Raiders.”

The Saskatoon Blades would like to thank Graeme Craig for his time with the organization and would also like to extend a warm welcome to both Tyler Dea and MacKenzie Johnston.