Everett Silvertips acquire defenseman Martin from Saskatoon

The Everett Silvertips announced a big trade Monday morning as they have acquired 19-year-old defenseman Brycen Martin and 2017 conditional third- and sixth-round draft picks from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for 16-year-old defenseman Jantzen Leslie, the rights to 16-year-old left wing Ryan Anderson and Everett’s 2017 second-round draft pick.

Martin was the third-round selection of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL draft. He had three goals and 21 assists in 25 games with Saskatoon. In 236 WHL games with Saskatoon and Swift Current, Martin has 18 goals and 100 assists.

He is fifth in scoring among WHL defensemen and is second in assists by blue liners with 21 assists.

“Brycen is a dynamic offensive talent we couldn’t pass on, and upgrades our hockey club,” Everett general manager Garry Davidson said in a press release. “He provides a key piece for immediate on-ice success with his ability to control and distribute the puck. This was a deal that made a ton of sense based on our depth and a key piece that helps us be an immediate contender in the Western Hockey League.”

Leslie, a native of Lloydminster, Alberta, appeared in 10 games with the Silvertips and was sent back to the Lloydminster Bobcats after four games this season. He was Everett’s first-round pick in the 2014 bantam draft. Anderson, an Edmonton native, was Everett’s fifth-round selection in 2014.

You can read the entire release from the Silvertips organization here.

Update (1:51 p.m.)

I spoke with Davidson about the acquisition.

“He’s a very experienced defenseman who moves the puck exceptionally well,” Davidson said. “We think he is a real solid addition. He’s our eighth defender and we thought it was important to have some depth back there because you’re always concerned about depth if you have injuries.”

Davidson did acknowledge the fact the organization had to part with two 16-year-olds. That said, the Tips currently have four 16-year-olds on the roster including D Jake Christiansen, who has played his way into the third pairing.

“In adding quality you have to give up something, and we sacrificed some youth in the (19)99 group,” Davidson said. “(Leslie and Anderson) are two good quality young players that we had to sacrifice in the deal. But again, we’re very excited about our (19)99 group.”

Looks as though Martin is looking forward to heading to Everett:

Would like to thank @BladesHockey for the past year. Great organization with a great group of guys. Happy to be joining the @WHLsilvertips
— brycen martin (@Brycen_Martin) November 30, 2015

And Jantzen Leslie had this to say:

1/2A big Thank You to the whole @WHLsilvertips Organization. A very high class program located in a very high class place.
— Jantzen Leslie (@jantzenleslie3) November 30, 2015