WHL NOTEBOOK: Trade deadline a source of drama in past seasons

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If Colton Waltz’s surprise departure has done anything, it’s certainly made the Western Hockey League trade deadline more interesting for Brandon Wheat Kings fans.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/12/2015 (3750 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If Colton Waltz’s surprise departure has done anything, it’s certainly made the Western Hockey League trade deadline more interesting for Brandon Wheat Kings fans.

The 20-year-old defenceman’s decision to go home on Sunday leaves the team with two overagers with a couple of weeks left before the deadline on Jan. 10.

Today we’ll review some of Brandon’s deadline deals over the years, but first let’s look at what’s already happened around the league in the last few days.

Colin Corneau / Brandon Sun
Brandon Wheat Kings' Travis Hamonic collides with Moose Jaw Warriors' Danny Gayle, Wednesday evening at Westman Place.
Colin Corneau / Brandon Sun Brandon Wheat Kings' Travis Hamonic collides with Moose Jaw Warriors' Danny Gayle, Wednesday evening at Westman Place.

• Dec. 28 — Red Deer acquires the rights to 17-year-old F Taden Rattie from Portland for a fourth rounder in 2016.

• Dec. 27 — Red Deer acquires 19-year-old F Jake Debrusk from Swift Current for 18-year-old F Lane Pederson, a 2017 first rounder and a 2016 third rounder.

• Dec. 26 — Prince Albert trades the rights to 20-year-old F/D Mackenze Stewart, who is playing in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets, to Tri-City for the rights to 17-year-old D Mark Drohan, who is playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and a conditional fifth round pick in 2017.

For our look back at Brandon’s deals, let’s start by defining the deadline. Since Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon often beats the rush, we’ll consider any deal made in December or January since the 2009-10 season.

2014-15

Wheat Kings reach league final. Total WHL deals in January: 32. Total deals in December: 8.

• Jan. 2, 2015 — Brandon acquires F Morgan Klimchuk from Regina for F Jesse Gabrielle.

2013-14

Wheat Kings lose in second round. Total deals in January: 28. Total deals in December: 5.

•Dec. 6, 2013 — Brandon sends G Christopher Tai to Medicine Hat for a conditional pick in 2015.

2012-13

Wheat Kings miss the playoffs. Total deals in January: 18. Total deals in December: 5.

CP
Brandon Wheat Kings' Shayne Wiebe (17) celebrates a goal in front of Calgary Hitmen goaltender Martin Jones during third period Memorial Cup hockey action in Brandon, Manitoba on Friday May 21, 2010.
CP Brandon Wheat Kings' Shayne Wiebe (17) celebrates a goal in front of Calgary Hitmen goaltender Martin Jones during third period Memorial Cup hockey action in Brandon, Manitoba on Friday May 21, 2010.

•Jan. 10, 2013 — Brandon sends F Michael Ferland to Saskatoon for a 2013 first rounder.

• Jan. 10, 2013 — Brandon sends F Alessio Bertaggia to Spokane for F Marek Kalus, F Rhett Gardner, a third rounder in 2013 and a fifth rounder in 2013.

• Jan. 10, 2013 — Brandon sends D Ayrton Nikkel and a conditional sixth rounder in 2015 to Everett for D Nick Walters and F Taylor Sanheim.

2011-12

Wheat Kings lose in second round. Total deals in January: 18. Total deals in December: 4.

• Jan. 9, 2012 — Brandon acquires F Kevin Sundher from Victoria for F Dakota Conroy, D Jordan Fransoo and a 2012 first rounder.

2010-11

Wheat Kings lose in first round. Total deals in January: 13. Total deals in December: 9.

• Jan. 5, 2011 — Brandon acquires F Matt McKay and a fourth rounder in 2012 from Vancouver for D Darren Bestland.

• Jan. 10, 2011 — Brandon sends F Brayden Schenn and a third rounder in 2012 to Saskatoon for F Tim McGauley, D Ayrton Nikkel, a first rounder in 2011, a second rounder in 2011, a first rounder in 2012 and a first rounder in the 2012 Canadian Hockey League import draft.

2009-10

Wheat Kings lose in third round and in the Memorial Cup final. Total deals in January: 19. Total deals in December: 12.

Tim Smith / Brandon Sun
Brandon Sun Morgan Klimchuk #18 of the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Tim Smith / Brandon Sun Brandon Sun Morgan Klimchuk #18 of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

• Dec. 13, 2009 — Brandon acquires F Shayne Wiebe from Kamloops for F Jordan DePape.

• Dec. 30, 2009 — Brandon acquires F Brent Raedeke from Edmonton for F Klarc Wilson and a conditional third rounder in 2011.

• Jan. 10, 2010 — Brandon acquires D Travis Hamonic from Moose Jaw for D Dallas Ehrhardt, a first rounder in 2010 and second rounders in 2010 and 2011.

Longtime fans will also remember some of their other big deals, which worked to varying degrees. Some of their pickups over the last couple of decades include D Bryan McCabe (1995, from Spokane), F Mike Leclerc (1995, from Prince George), F Dorian Anneck (1996, from Tri-City) G Jody Lehman (1996, from Moose Jaw), F Greg Phillips (1998, from Saskatoon) F Brett McLean (1999, from Kelowna), F Jason Chimera (1999, from Medicine Hat), F Milan Bartovic (2000, from Tri-City), F Tyler Dyck (2003, from Tri-City), F Greg Watson (2003, from Prince Albert), F Erik Christensen (2004, from Kamloops), G Josh Harding (2004, from Regina), D Steven Later (2004, from Prince George) and F Rob Klinkhammer (2007, from Portland).

It will certainly be interesting to see what, if anything, is on McCrimmon’s shopping list when he returns from the world junior tournament on Jan. 6.

Perry Bergson is the Brandon Sun’s hockey reporter.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: PerryBergson

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