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ICE acquire Bozon, Cross from Blazers
The Kootenay ICE have acquired a top line sniper and a top four defenseman from the Kamloops Blazers in a multi-player trade today (Oct. 22).
Jeff Chynoweth, ICE General Manager announced the club has acquired 19-year-old forward Tim Bozon and 19-year-old defenseman Landon Cross from the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for 17-year-old forward Collin Shirley, 18-year-old defenseman Matt Thomas along with a third round pick in the 2014 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft and a first and fifth round selection in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
“With as competitive as the Eastern Conference is and with goals being so hard to come by this was an opportunity to add one of the WHL’s premier goal scorers to our line-up. We are also adding a top four defenseman that will help solidify and give more depth to our blueline group.”
Chynoweth said the ICE had to give up quality to get it in return.
“To acquire a top six forward and a top four defenseman unfortunately you have to give up a lot and we feel we have given up two quality individuals in Collin and Matt along with some very high draft picks. We wish both players all the best with the Blazers,” he said.
St. Louis, Missouri-born Bozon is in his third season in the WHL after being selected in the 2011 CHL Import Draft (first round – 27th overall). Bozon, whose Dad (Philippe) played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues (1991-1995) was a third round draft pick (64th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
In 13 games so far this season, the 6’1” left winger has three goals and four assists and is a -5.
Cross, from Brandon, Mb., is also in his third season with the Blazers after being selected in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft (third round – 54th overall). The 6’2” defender has one goal and one assist in 13 games, and is a -2 for the four and nine, ninth place Blazers.
Both players are expected to arrive in time for practice on Wednesday, October 23.
Shirley is in his second WHL season, scoring nine goals and finishing with 23 points last season as a 16-year-old.
The forward was originally a first round pick of the ICE in 2011. The Saskatoon native played for Team West at the U-17 World Challenge in Quebec last year and was also recently invited to Canada’s U-18 summer camp. In 11 games this season, Shirley has two goals and an assist.
Thomas suited up for 66 games as a rookie last year. The defenseman from Calgary has played in 11 games this season recording one assist.
“Collin has the potential to be a very good player for our club now and in the future. We look forward to him developing with our young core,” commented Blazers General Manager Craig Bonner. “Matt is a steady defenseman. We think he will fit in well with the age groups we have on defense.”
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