Brandon picks up trio from Victoria

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This article was published 02/09/2016 (3641 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon Wheat Kings grew a lot bigger on Thursday after a trade with the Victoria Royals.

Brandon picked up six-foot-two, 180-pound defenceman Jordan Wharrie, six-foot-four, 194-pound right-winger Tyler Thompson and his six-foot-five, 229-pound brother Baron, who also plays right wing.

In return, the team gave up two unsigned prospects, 17-year-old forward Jeremy Klessens and 16-year-old goaltender Brendan Benoit, a third-round pick in the 2017 Western Hockey League draft, a seventh-round pick in 2018 and a conditional draft pick in 2019.

The Wheat Kings also received a third-round pick in 2018 and a 10th-round bantam pick in 2017.

Wheat Kings general manager Grant Armstrong said the key to the deal may prove to be an unheralded 17-year-old player.

“I think it shores up some depth issues that we might have at this point,” Armstrong said. “The unknown will be Baron. Baron is an incredible talent that hasn’t played enough hockey over the last two years to continue his development. From all reports, he had a good camp in Victoria.

“We’re just giving him an opportunity to get closer to home. He probably would have had a tough time getting into their lineup based on their depth so we’ll just kind of play with it and see where it all fits in.”

The Thompsons are from Lakeville, Minn., which is located just south of Minneapolis.

Baron had two goals and added two assists in 26 games with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints last season as he struggled to earn playing time.

It was a similar story with his brother Tyler, who Armstrong called a “raw player.” In eight games with the Royals last season, the 19-year-old had two goals and an assist.

Armstrong, who served as assistant general manager in Victoria before joining the Wheat Kings in August, said Tyler probably could have played more but as the Royals got hot on their way to the WHL regular-season title, the coaching staff was reluctant to change much.

“I know it was frustrating for him,” Armstrong said. “He wants to play. I think he has enough skill to play in this league. Obviously if he comes in and does what we ask him to do, he’ll be effective.”

Essentially, the deal was a three-for-two list spot adjustment, because Klessens and Benoit opted not to report to Wheat Kings camp.

In the short term, the acquisition of Wharrie to help out on defence may prove to be the most important. The Wheat Kings had just three veteran defencemen in their lineup prior to the deal.

Wharrie, a product of Port Moody, B.C., is a 19-year-old veteran of 107 regular-season and playoff games with the Royals and Everett Silvertips.

“Nobody can look at our depth chart and say we’re full,” Armstrong said. “For me it’s about trying to get some depth in that group and I think Jordan, from all indications, has come into camp with the right mind-set. He worked very, very hard in the summertime and started to take the game really, really seriously. I think it’s a great fit. He’ll be inspired.”

Wharrie said he was happy to become a Wheat King.

“I’m a fast, puck-moving defenceman who plays with a little bit of edge to his game,” Wharrie said in describing his style. “Hopefully the fans and coaching staff in Brandon are going to welcome me with open arms. I’m ready to play some hockey and bring what I have to the table.”

Tyler found out about the potential deal on Wednesday after an intrasquad in Victoria.

“(General manager) Cam (Hope) just brought it up and said (Brandon) would be interested if you are and he said it’s a better chance to play with your brother and for me to get a bigger role on the team,” Tyler said. “I was definitely all for that.”

All three players are expected to arrive in Brandon on Saturday.

Armstrong said he is excited to see Baron grow as a Wheat King.

“This kid has NHL potential,” Armstrong said. “When you get a body that is six-foot-five, 240, that’s going to draw attention. We’re going to have a lot of scouts in our building. If he comes in and works hard every single day and just gets down to business, he’s going to be an NHL-drafted player. The way he skates, the way he shoots the puck, he shoots the puck like a pro.

“He just has to keep working hard. If he does that, he’ll pick up the two years.”

ICINGS: The Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League picked up the rights to former Wheat Kings defenceman Jordan Thomson on Thursday from the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League … In other Terriers news, 17-year-old forward Nick Henry signed with the Regina Pats on Thursday. He was the MJHL’s rookie of the year last season while playing with his hometown club … 2015 first-round draft choice Caiden Daley left his team’s rookie camp game in the morning with a shoulder injury. It’s not believed to be serious.

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