Tips acquire D-man, reassign Giebel (updated)

Everett made a pair of roster moves today.

In the first one, the Tips acquired 17-year-old defenseman Lucas Grayson from Red Deer in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2013 bantam draft. Grayson, a 6-foot, 176-pound native of Port Hardy, B.C., was a sixth-round pick in the 2009 bantam draft. He appeared in 40 games for the Rebels last season, registering one goal, one assist and 71 penalty minutes as a 16-year-old rookie. However, he appeared in just one of Red Deer’s first eight games this season. Grayson was Everett defenseman Nick Walters’ defensive partner at last year’s U-17 World Hockey Challenge. Tips general manager Doug Soetaert described Grayson as a stay-at-home defenseman who plays very physical and very mean, and that he should step right into the lineup.

In the other move, the Tips reassigned 18-year-old center Tyler Giebel to Yorkton of the SJHL. Giebel, a native of Balgonie, Saskatchewan, was a notable bantam pick for Everett in 2008, in that the Tips traded away a third-round pick to move up just four spots in the second round to nab Giebel. However, Giebel had just four goals and two assists in 49 games last season, and he was pointless in eight games this season. Soetaert said the move was made because the team needed to get more playing time for its 17- and 16-year-old forwards.

These two moves leave Everett at a 26-player roster. By reassigning Giebel the Tips cleared up a roster spot up front for when Manraj Hayer eventually recovers from his broken leg. However, the acquisition of Grayson leaves nine defensemen on the roster, which is probably too many. Soetaert said he planned on alleviating the logjam on defense later this week.

— UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.

A quick glance at YouTube reveals that Lucas Grayson is a rather willing pugilist. Make of that what you will.