Canes' Swing "BIG" Deal with Everett....Kyle Beach Now a Hurricane

Lethbridge, AB – Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager, Roy Stasiuk, announced this afternoon the Canes have traded forward Dan Iwanski and defenseman Alex Theriau; along with a 1st round draft pick in the 2009 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for 89-born defenseman Mike Alexander and 2008 NHL first round draft pick Kyle Beach. This deal follows in the wake of another trade completed yesterday afternoon which saw 91-born forward Brody Sutter acquired from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2009 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Beach was drafted in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks this past summer. This season, Beach tallied 30 points (9G, 21A) in 30 games and has amassed 106 penalty minutes. At 6’3” 210 pounds, Beach is known as a skilled power forward whose numbers speak for themselves. In 06-07, he was named the WHL Rookie of the Year; totaling 61 points (29G, 32A) in 65 games, while leading the Silvertips with 196 penalty minutes. He then continued his solid play last season with 60 points (27G, 33A) in 60 games and a team leading 222 penalty minutes.

“Obviously, Kyle [Beach] joining our program is going to add some more bite to our game.” said Stasiuk “He is a big power forward he goes to the net very hard and I think he might be good inspiration and a good role model for some of our younger players in terms of how hard you have to play, battle every night and really be a thorn under your opponents skin.”

Alexander is an 89-born defenseman whom Lethbridge expects to make an impact on their defensive corps. With the anticipated return of Max Ross from injury, this move gives the Canes a rock solid group of defenseman led by captain Ben Wright 2008 second round NHL draft pick Eric Mestery, 2009 NHL Draft prospect Brennan Yadlowski and over age Mitch Versteeg. At 5’10”, 206 pounds Alexander brings with him strength and experience with 135 WHL games under his belt. He has already set career highs this season with 12 points (3G, 9A) and 45 penalty minutes.

“We are really excited to have both Kyle and Mike [Alexander] join our program” said Stasiuk “They are coming from a strong program in Everett and if nothing else it sends a message to Zach Boychuk to Ben Wright and some of our other veterans; that we are quite serious about contending for a championship this season.”

Sutter is expected to arrive in time for practice tomorrow (Wednesday) while Beach and Alexander are expected to arrive in Lethbridge later this week as the team prepares for their Friday night matchup with the Prince Albert Raiders.