Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Two trades in the WHL

Press Release

Lethbridge, AB – Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager/Head Coach, Rich Preston, announced this afternoon the Canes have traded a conditional 6th round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft to the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for 89-born Czech forward Radim Valchar. [RAH-deem VAL-kar]

Valchar, is an overage player who was originally drafted by the Winter Hawks 4th overall in the first round of the 2007 CHL Import Draft. The 6’0, 198 pound winger was the second highest WHL pick in the 2007 Import Draft, second only to fellow countryman Tomas Vincour who was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings. Valchar notched 41 points (21G, 20A) in 67 games with the Hawks last season and will add some veteran depth to the Hurricanes lineup.

“Radim is a skilled forward who can score goals but more importantly has a great work ethic” said Preston adding “He will be a valuable addition to our team.”

Valchar is expected to join the Canes today, prior to the team’s Friday night matchup with the Red Deer Rebels. The Canes lineup for a pair of games this weekend, Friday night in Red Deer and Saturday Night in Swift Current. Due to renovations to the City of Lethbridge ENMAX Centre; the Cane did not host any games during the 08-09 preseason and will not hold their home opener until an October 9th matchup against Edmonton Oil Kings.

Press Release

Everett, WA -- Everett Silvertips Vice President / General Manager Doug Soetaert announced Tuesday that the Silvertips have acquired center Chris Langkow from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 6th round draft pick in 2010 and a 3rd round draft pick in 2011.

Langkow, 20, stands 6’1 and weighs 190 pounds. A Vegreville, Alberta native, he has appeared in 194 career WHL games, totaling 32 goals and 63 assists for 95 points and 107 penalty minutes through parts of five WHL seasons with Spokane and Saskatoon. Last season, he appeared in 70 games, scoring 15 goals and adding 34 assists for 49 points. He was held scoreless and logged a +1 rating along with two penalty minutes in Saskatoon’s 5-1 season opening victory over Regina on Friday, September 18th.

Langkow was previously acquired by the Blades from the Spokane Chiefs along with forward Burke Gallimore and a conditional 3rd Bantam Draft pick in 2009 for forward Justin McCrae on January 7th, 2008. The Chiefs originally selected him in the 5th round (96th overall) in the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft.

“Chris was part of one of the bigger trades we have made when we acquired him from Spokane. In his time here he has been an important member of our hockey club,” commented Blades General Manager and Head Coach Lorne Molleken. “I personally want to wish him all the best in his future and in his time with Everett.”

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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