10 WHL Things: Trade Deadline Round-Up, Volume XXI

By Glen Erickson

1 – Trade Deadline Drama – It all came to an end Thursday. Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of the flurry of activity these past two weeks has been the reaction to the trades. Blockbusters! Bloodbath! Sheesh, gotta fire up the hype machines, I suppose. A number of teams really rolled up their sleeves this time around, which will make for some entertaining hockey during the second half of the season. For the record, between December 27, when the roster freeze was lifted after Christmas, and the January 9 trade deadline, a total of 77 players were dealt along with 73 draft picks.

2 – Major Deals – The moves that included Andrew Cristall (KEL to SPOK), Sawyer Mynio (SEA to CGY), Caden Price (KEL to LETH) and Tanner Molendyk (STOON to MHAT) had WHL fans the most giddy this past week. It’s interesting how multiple draft picks have become such valued currency, given the relatively recent rules associated with trading 15-, 16- and 17-year-old players. Mynio, Price and Molendyk played at the WJC in Ottawa, while Cristall was cut by Team Canada after the selection camp. It’s likely these four will play professional hockey somewhere next season, as each has already signed an entry level contract with the NHL teams that drafted them. However, if even one of these players was to return to the WHL next season as an overager, who do you think that might be?

3 – Minor Deals – The majority of moves were not particularly exciting, but a couple caught my attention. The Prince George Cougars acquired Ben Riche from the Saskatoon Blades, in exchange for a couple of players and some draft picks. Riche returns to the B.C. Division and adds big-time speed and scoring punch to the Cougars top six. The Tri City Americans acquired defenceman Charlie Elick from the Brandon Wheat Kings, a bit of an under-the-radar move that really bolsters the Amerks already stalwart backend. In fairness, the Wheaties get a good one in forward Jordan Gavin. I like what the Prince Albert Raiders did, acquiring Rilen Kovacevic from the Moose Jaw Warriors and Matteo Fabrizi from the Red Deer Rebels. I’ll be very surprised if the Raiders don’t qualify for the post-season. The Swift Current Broncos added a couple of good rearguards in Hunter Mayo and Marek Rocak.

4 – Don’t Unpack Your Suitcase – Every season over the couple weeks leading up to the trade deadline, there is always a curious story or two. The player that caught my attention this time around is goaltender Alex Garrett. On December 27, the Everett Silvertips moved Garrett to the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a 2026 fifth round pick. The Wheaties needed some depth in goal with veteran Carson Bjarnason away in Ottawa at the World Junior Championship and backup Ethan Eskit on the shelf with an upper-body injury. Garrett started five straight games for Brandon, compiled a 4-1 record, a 2.40 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. With Bjarnason back from the WJC and Eskit close to returning, the Wheat Kings shipped Garrett to the Wenatchee Wild on January 9 for a 2028 fifth round draft pick. The 19-year-old Saskatoon native who was selected by the Calgary Hitmen in the seventh round, 144^th overall, at the 2020 WHL Draft, is now with his fourth WHL team. All told, Garrett has appeared in 38 WHL games over four seasons. Later the same day, the Wheat Kings acquired 17-year-old goalie Hudson Perry from the Edmonton Oil Kings.

5 – Rockets Fuel – Kelowna was going to be a seller and general manager Bruce Hamilton did some pretty good work. He typically prefers to wait until after the WJC if any of his players happen to be playing at the tournament. Cristall and Price were big assets and the return for each was solid. Import defenceman Marek Rocak was moved to Swift Current. I’m surprised import forward Jakub Stancl wasn’t moved and I also thought there might be a deal to be made for 20-year-old power forward, Max Graham. These didn’t materialize, but the Rockets now have plenty of draft capital for future use as they build for the 2026 Memorial Cup. Kelowna also relieved Kris Mallette of his duties, naming Derek Martin its interim head coach.

6 – Saskatoon Scenarios – The Blades have been at or near the top of the eastern conference standing all season long, but it was not at all surprising to see general manager Colin Priestner move a number of key veterans. Molendyk brought a hefty return, a nice mix of roster players and draft picks. The deal with the Victoria Royals that saw 20-year-old Brandon Lisowsky moved to Vancouver Island probably hurts on the offensive side, but overage forward Tanner Scott should be a serviceable top-six forward in Saskatoon. Moving Riche to Prince George surprised me, as he’s enjoying a career season offensively, but I like Hunter Laing’s size in the Bridge City. His grandfather, Bill, played two full seasons for the Blades between 1971 and 1973. I wonder what interest there was in goaltender Evan Gardner? Saskatoon also signed an import forward, Frantisek Dej from Slovakia, who checks in at 6’5. So, the Blades replenished much needed draft capital, brought in some veteran skaters and added some significant size up front. The Blades will make the playoffs, but will it be as the number two seed in the conference? Regardless, a few extra bucks at the ticket window never hurts.

7 – Arms Race – Central Division teams were highly active, none more than the Calgary Hitmen. The roster has undergone enormous change, and I wonder how long it might take for everyone in the dressing room to get to know each other. Adding eight new faces certainly demonstrates the organization’s desire to take a run at a league title. Where do the Hitmen fit into the hockey landscape in the Stampede City? The Flames, Wranglers, University of Calgary Dinos, the midget teams, the Calgary Canucks. The Hitmen have averaged 4,204 fans through 16 home games. If the new additions can create some community buzz and on-ice success, the Saddledome might be in for some more good times and bigger crowds these next few months.

8 – Tigers Town – There is certainly excitement in Medicine Hat, where the Tigers have managed to reside at or near the top of the eastern conference standings. Frankly, I’m baffled at how they’re doing it, considering the juggling act required to navigate the constant impact of the injury bug. I just wonder at what point, if ever, we’ll know just how good this team can be. Sadly, Cayden Lindstrom remains on a wish list, sequestered in Columbus under the guidance of the Blue Jackets. Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Basha is such an exciting player, but he’s been in and out of the lineup of late and is now listed as “indefinite” on the WHL Weekly Report. The addition of two healthy players in Tanner Molendyk and Misha Volotovskii from the Saskatoon Blades will help immediately and perhaps 20-year-old goaltender Harrison Meneghin really is ready to get back between the pipes. Not once this season has the Tigers coaching staff iced the full roster that I know it would like to dress. Yet the Tigers remain without question an upper-echelon team that will probably be even better next season. Kudos to a few guys we don’t hear enough about…associate coach Joe Frazer, Director of Player Personnel Bobby Fox and athletic therapist Mikki Lanuk.

9 – Odd & Ends – The player I’m most surprised wasn’t moved? Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Scott Ratzlaff…The Everett Silvertips chose to tread very lightly, pretty much standing pat with the lineup that sits firmly atop the league standings with a 28-5-3-2 record…Did anyone in the East Division do enough to elevate their roster to challenge Saskatoon for top spot? Or, did the Blades just back up?…Keep an eye on the battle for top spot in the B.C. Division between Prince George and Victoria. The victor will earn the number two seed in the western conference for the playoffs. The divisional foes meet in Victoria next month for a doubleheader, then the Cougars host the Royals for a double-dip on the final weekend of the regular season schedule…A scan of the remaining schedule confirms the big buyers in the Central Division will meet for festivities a number of times during the second half. Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat combine to meet 19 times before the playoffs begin. That’s plenty of opportunity to see if so much promise creates the desired results…Did the Spokane Chiefs do enough?…Did anyone with the Portland Winterhawks or Edmonton Oil Kings even pick up the phone?

10 – RANDOMS – It’s a weird dynamic but watching WHL games as a guy who doesn’t have a dog in the fight has been an interesting proposition these past few years. I mean, I don’t go the rink anymore to cheer for a team. It’s a result of “working” too many games for too many years. It’s just different. I know, I’m the weirdo! I stand at different vantage points throughout the game, rather than sitting in one place for the entire game. I watch specific players, which guys have their give-a-shit meter turned all the way on, how do the coaches interact, what about the positioning of officials. I don’t enjoy loud game hosts or head-banging music between whistles. I understand why a broadcast team or a beat writer has to take the “our team” angle, a subjective approach. I respect what they have to do. And a fanbase watching its home team? Oh man, they can be entertaining and nauseating at the same time. Rose-coloured glasses are standard equipment! I continue to marvel at how the antics of the home team’s goon are greeted with cheers and giggles, but the second an opponent ignores the Marquess of Queensbury rules, out comes the fire, fury and self-righteousness from the boo-birds. Sporting events just bring out the best people. Thanks for the laughs!

(Glen Erickson is a hockey writer based in Medicine Hat, AB)