The Silvertips swung a deal this morning, sending 18-year-old right wing Cameron Abney to the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for 19-year-old center Clayton Cumiskey.
Cumiskey, a 6-foot, 188 pounder from just across the border in Abbotsford, B.C., has 51 points in 153 career WHL games and was an original member of the Oil Kings when they were an expansion team. This season he had one goal and 11 assists in 23 games with Edmonton.
Abney, a 6-foot-4, 194-pound enforcer from Aldergrove, B.C., was a third-round pick in the NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers last June, so he’s heading to Edmonton a little earlier than scheduled. He had three goals, three assists and 60 penalty minutes in 34 games this season, playing primarily on the fourth line.
So what does this trade mean, and why did it happen? I haven’t talked to anyone yet, but in Everett’s press release Tips general manager Doug Soetaert is quoted saying he thinks Cumiskey can play on the top two lines. The press release also mentions that Cumiskey is a left-handed shot, which is significant because the only left-handed forward Everett has who has scored many points this season is Tyler Maxwell.
Meanwhile, Abney was seeing sparing playing time, despite being an NHL draft pick. He had a few opportunities on a top line, but for the most part was relegated to a handful of shifts each game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was looking for more ice time.
Cumiskey immediately becomes a candidate to play as an overager for Everett next season. This also probably means Campbell Elynuik will take up some of Abney’s vacated enforcing duties.
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