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ICE land scoring forward from Blazers
Kootenay ICE GM Jeff Chynoweth continues to tinker with his last place Western Hockey League club in order to improve it.
Chynoweth today announced the club has acquired 18-year-old forward Jesse Zaharichuk from the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.
“Jesse Zaharichuk is a skilled forward who brings WHL experience and depth to our roster. He has been producing at nearly a point-per-game pace with Kamloops this season, and given the injuries up and down our roster, Jesse will get every opportunity to step into the lineup and contribute right away,” Chynoweth stated.
Zaharichuk was signed by the Blazers in August 2014. In 65 career WHL games, all with Kamloops, Zaharichuk has compiled 28 career points (7-21-28).Ā He has four goals and nine assists in 17 games this season, making him third overall on the ICEās scoring chart.
This trade follows hot on the heels of a two-player deal Chynoweth concluded yesterday (Nov. 29), landing two forwards from the Portland Winterhawks.
Coming to the ICE in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, are 18-year-old forward Austin Gray and 17-year-old forward Reed Morison.
“Austin Gray is coming off an impressive season in the BC Major Midget League and unfortunately due to injury was only able to spend a brief time in Portland. With our depleted forward ranks, Austin will be stepping into a situation where he will be given a chance to play regularly,” stated Chynoweth.
“Reed Morison adds size and depth to our forward corps, in particular our 1998-born players. Reed has put up big numbers throughout his minor hockey career, and while he will stay in Junior āAā in Calgary at this time, we will re-assess after our B.C. road trip,ā added Chynoweth.
Gray was signed by Portland in December 2014. In seven career games with Portland, Gray tallied one point (0-1-1). As captain of the Cariboo Cougars (BCMML), he finished with 64 points (25-39-64) last season.
Morison was signed by Portland in February 2014, and made seven career appearances with the Winterhawks. This season with the Calgary Canucks (AJHL), Morison has recorded four points (1-3-4) in 15 games played.
These deals were made following a deal last week between the ICE and Lethbridge Hurricanes that was voided.
The ICE had acquired forward Johnny Wesley (May 17, 1997) from Lethbridge for a seventh round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. After initially indicating he would report to the ICE, Wesley has decided not to report, and remain with the Tier II Surrey Eagles, the ICE reported on its website.
The ICE are now carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, eight defensemen and 14 forwards).
With six wins, 19 losses and two overtime losses, the ICE remain last overall in the Eastern Conference and the league as well.
Zaharichuk will have a chance to test his game against his old team in the first game of a grueling five-game road trip beginning tomorrow night in Kamloops. Then between Dec. 2 and 8 the ICE travel to Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria and then up to Prince George before returning home to Western Financial Place on Saturday, Dec. 12 to take on the Swift Current Broncos.
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