The trade winds blew through the WHL last week, changing the landscape of the league significantly in the process.
The biggest deal involved the Vancouver Giants and Regina Pats.
The Giants sent their second-leading scorer from last season, 20-year-old center Tim Kraus, along with 18-year-old defenseman Juraj Valach to the Pats in exchange for 19-year-old defenseman Craig Schira and 19-year-old center Mike Reich.
Kraus, who had fallen out of favor in Vancouver and was benched for last season’s Memorial Cup championship game, brings some much-needed offensive creativity to Regina. Meanwhile, the Giants added experience on the blue line in Schira, and also managed to free up overage and European roster slots for the possible return of 20-year-old C Mario Bliznak from his professional tryout.
The two other major deals both involved the Tri-City Americans, who upgraded on both offense and defense while settling their overager situation.
First, in a trade of first-round bantam picks, the Americans upgraded their offense by acquiring 19-year-old center Jason Reese from Moose Jaw in exchange for 18-year-old center Joel Broda.
Then, in a three-way deal, Tri-City picked up 18-year-old defenseman Brett Plouffe from Calgary while sending 20-year-old left wing Erik Felde to Swift Current. Also in that deal, Calgary acquired 19-year-old center Kyle Bortis and 18-year-old defenseman Paul Postma from Swift Current and sent banished 19-year-old right wing Keegan Dansereau to the Broncos.
In other minor deals, Prince George acquired 19-year-old goaltender Tommy Tartaglione from Edmonton for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2009 bantam draft; Lethbridge acquired 20-year-old right wing Luke Wiens from Kootenay for a sixth rounder in 2008; and Portland picked up 20-year-old left wing Kevin Undershute from Medicine Hat for a fourth rounder in 2008.
Around the WHL: Former Saskatoon and Red Deer defenseman Darcy Robinson collapsed and died during a game in Italy. The cause of Robinson’s death was unknown. He was 26. … Lethbridge Hurricanes coach Michael Dyck and trainer Slim Broderson helped in the emergency delivery of a baby in the Enmax Centre’s parking lot as the team was preparing to depart for a game at Medicine Hat. … The home of the Swift Current Broncos is getting a new name as Centennial Civic Centre was renamed Credit Union iplex. The naming deal was $600,000 for 10 years. … Lethbridge center Mitch Fadden was named the WHL Player of the Week. Fadden had four goals and three assists as the Hurricanes went 2-1.
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