BRONCOS, HURRICANES SWING BLOCKBUSTER
Swift Current, SK: The Swift Current Broncos Hockey Club announced a major blockbuster trade involving the Lethbridge Hurricanes ahead of Wednesday’s WHL Trade Deadline.
The Broncos completed a deal with the Hurricanes in acquiring Lethbridge captain and 20-year-old forward Giorgio Estephan, goaltender Stuart Skinner and forward Tanner Nagel. In return, the Broncos are sending rookie forward Logan Barlage, goaltender Logan Flodell, forward Owen Blocker and defenceman Matthew Stanley. Lethbridge also receives a first-round and a third-round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft as well as a future conditional second-round pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.
A product of Edmonton, AB, Estephan is in the midst of a fine season for the Hurricanes, having recorded 58 points (18g-40a), including 11 power play goals in 39 games. The 6′, 195 lb centreman has spent his entire career with Lethbridge over the course of five seasons and has 297 career points (119g-178a) in 297 regular season games. Estephan also brings plenty of playoff experience as he helped guide the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, tallying 24 points (11g-13a) in 18 games. Furthermore, the 20-year-old was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round, 152nd overall at the 2015 NHL Draft.
Skinner, also an Edmonton, AB native joins the Broncos after spending almost four seasons with the Hurricanes. This season, the 19-year-old backstopper has posted a 14-15-2-0 record, a 3.38 goals against average, a .897 save percentage and four shutouts. Like Estephan, Skinner brings plenty of playoff experience to Swift Current, having skated in a total of 24 playoff games over the past two seasons and collecting 11 wins along with a steady .911 save percentage. The 6’4″, 200lb netminder was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round, 78th overall at the 2017 NHL Draft.
Nagel, a product of Mossbank, SK is the final piece coming to Swift Current. The 19-year-old forward has suited up in 35 games this season, amassing eight points (3g-5a) to go along with 40 penalty minutes. Nagel began his WHL career with the Portland Winterhawks during the 2015-16 season and has then spent the last two season with the Hurricanes and he has notched 25 points (14g-11a) in 145 games.
Barlage skated in 38 games for the Broncos this season, tallying seven points (1g-6a) and a shootout goal. The Humboldt, SK native was originally drafted by Swift Current with the fourth overall selection in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft after a strong season with the Humboldt Broncos Bantam AA in which he recorded 125 points (60g-65a) in 30 games. The 6’4″, 201 lb forward also participated in 13 playoff contests for the Broncos during the 2017 WHL Playoffs.
Flodell appeared in 35 games in the Broncos cage, posting a 24-8-3-0 record with a 3.07 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. The 20-year-old Regina, SK native has suited up for three teams over his career, including the Broncos, Saskatoon Blades and Seattle Thunderbirds, recording a 72-43-11-1 career mark over parts of five seasons.
Blocker, a 2000-born forward from Oakbank, MB, has skated in 27 games for the Broncos this season and scored his first career goal this year. Originally chosen in the second round, 32nd overall by Swift Current in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Blocker played in 71 games over two seasons in Swift Current and registered two points (1g-1a) along with 39 penalty minutes.
Stanley, a 1998-born blue liner from Balmoral, MB played in 40 games this year for Swift Current, registering four assists and 40 penalty minutes. Stanley worked his way up the depth chart after being selected by Swift Current in the 12th round, 248th overall at the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6’1″, 177lb defenceman recorded five assists in 91 career regular season contests to go along with 14 playoff games in the 2017 WHL Playoffs.
The Swift Current Broncos return to action on Friday, January 12th as they get set to faceoff against the Prince Albert Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is at 7:00pm CT.
