HITMEN-BRONCOS HOOK UP IN 9-PLAYER SWAP

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club today announced a nine-player trade with the Swift Current Broncos.

Calgary acquires 20-year-old centre Conner Chaulk, 18-year-old defenceman Dom Schmiemann, 17-year-old centre Riley Stotts, the rights to 17-year-old forward Josh Prokop, 15-year-old goaltending prospect Ethan Hein and a second-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft in exchange for 20-year-old centre Matteo Gennaro, 19-year-old forward Beck Malenstyn and a 2018 fifth-round bantam pick.

“We would first like to thank Matteo and Beck for their excellent contributions to our organization both on and off the ice, said Hitmen general manager Jeff Chynoweth.  “This trade provides us with a number of key elements to build around moving forward, including a pair of former first-round draft picks, while at the same time allowing us to continue to push for a playoff spot this season.”

Chaulk is in his third year in the WHL and has been the Broncos third line center this season while serving as an alternate captain. He’s won 57.9 per cent of his face-offs while recording 11 points (6g, 5a) in 21 games.

Schmiemann (pronounced schmee-man) was the 12th overall pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.  The shutdown defenceman is also in his third campaign in the WHL and has been a key member of the Broncos top-four.  He has amassed two goals and 10 assists in 93 career games. 

Stotts was the 10th overall pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft after recording 68 points (39g, 29a) in 29 games with the Winnipeg Monarchs.  He tallied three points (2g, 1a) in two games for Canada Red at the 2016 World-Under 17 Hockey Challenge.  Stotts is on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ list in advance of the 2018 NHL Draft receiving a “C” ranking which indicates a fourth, fifth or sixth-round selection.   

Prokop, a fifth round pick (92nd overall) in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, is in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers.  His younger brother Luke was Calgary’s top pick this past spring.  Hein was a third-round selection of the Broncos (57th overall) in 2017.  He is playing AAA Midget in Moose Jaw and recently suited up for Team Saskatchewan at the 2017 WHL Cup.