WHL Trade Talk...

A look at a few of the trades completed at the WHL trade deadline.

To Brandon: Travis Hamonic, D
To Moose Jaw: Dallas Erhardt, D; 2010 1st Rd; 2010 2nd Rd; 2011 2nd Rd
**The shoulder injury Hamonic, 19, suffered at the WJC should be a non-issue. The Wheat Kings know they will be playing meaningful hockey in May, so there is plenty of time for Hamonic to heal. Realistically, Hamonic should be good to go for at least the last 10-15 regular season games and what will likely be a deep playoff run. Erhardt, 17, can play now in Moose Jaw, but the wealth of bantam draft picks obtained by general manager Jeff Truitt will bear fruit for the Warriors. If MJ uses the draft picks, the club will have to be patient. But if the deal is right, look for Truitt to part with a draft pick to add an established WHLer or two prior to the 2010 draft.

To Saskatoon: Marek Viedensky, F
To Prince George: Tyler Santos, G; 2010 3rd Rd; 2011 3rd Rd (conditional)
**Good for Viedensky, a 19-year-old import forward who played at the WJC in Saskatoon and should fit in well with the Blades. Drafted by San Jose in the 7th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he is a big-bodied kid who should contribute some secondary scoring with the Blades. This is a nice reward from Dallas Thompson in PG for Viedensky, a trade to an upper echelon team at a time when he is trying to prove his mettle to the Sharks. For PG, a goaltender will help but they will have to wait for Santos, 15. The team has had problems in goal for a variety of reasons, with no less than six keepers in the rotation this season. The draft picks are also of value to the Cougars, enabling the organization to maintain its commitment to building through the bantam draft.

To Calgary: Tyler Shattock, F; Zak Stebner, D; Jimmy Bubnick, F; 2011 4th Rd (conditional)
To Kamloops: Chase Schaber, F; Austin Madaisky, D; 2011 3rd Rd (conditional)
**The veteran bunch that started the season in Kamloops is pretty much gone now as general manager Craig Bonner is dissatisfied with the team's 7th place position in the Western Conference standings. Shattock and Stebner, both 19, and Bubnick, 18, will join former Blazers' defenceman Giffen Nyren, 20, who was dealt a few weeks ago to the Hitmen. These four have got to feel like they've won a lottery, given the likelihood that Calgary will push hard for the Eastern Conference title. In Kamloops, the deal is all about the future, a culture change move that will force new, young leaders to emerge...quickly. Schaber, 18, will be given a chance to play in offensive roles in Kamloops, something that was difficult for him behind veteran forwards in Calgary. Madaisky, 17, in his draft year, is really the key here as the Blazers have added a capable young d-man who will be expected in coming years to do just about everything.

More later...