LETHBRIDGE - Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager/Head Coach, Rich Preston, announced this afternoon the Canes have traded 2008 NHL 1st round draft pick Luca Sbisa, along with the Canes 5th round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft to the Portland WinterHawks in exchange for 92-born defenseman Daniel Johnston and 91-born Swedish forward Jacob Berglund. Portland and Lethbridge also agreed to swap first round selections in the 2010 CHL Import Draft.
Also, the Canes completed a deadline deal which sees forward Brent Henke to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a 5th round pick in 2011. Berglund, was selected with Portland’s second round pick in the 2009 Import Draft, 64th overall. This season, the Swedish prospect has 12 points (5G, 7A) in 41 games. In 08-09, the 6’1, 199 pound center played for Malmo in Sweden and in 55 total games with the Under-18, Under-20 and Swedish 1 leagues, registered 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 total points and in 07-08 the notched 26 goals and 14 assists for 40 points in 44 total games. Johnston, is playing in what is basically his rookie season after missing much of last year with a neck injury. Thus far in 09-10, the native of Calgary, AB has notched 10 assists and 15 PIMs and a solid plus-13 +/- rating.
Sbisa, a Hurricanes import draft pick in 2007 most recently represented his country as team captain of Switzerland at the U-20 World Junior Hockey Championships in Saskatchewan from Dec.26 – Jan.5. The Swiss advanced to the WJHC semi finals with a 3-2 OT win over Russia before a 6-1 semi final loss to Canada. Sbisa has also been selected for the Swiss Olympic team for Vancouver 2010 in February. Henke, was acquired by the Canes in early in the 08-09 season as the result of a trade with the Edmonton Oil Kings. Originally he was selected in the 5th round of the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft (100th overall) by the Kootenay Ice. Last season he was the winner of the Hurricanes Most Sportsmanlike Player Award
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Has McDermott left the team?
ReplyDeleteRJ
Not as far as I know RJ. He came back with us last night from Saskatoon.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for Bancksy. I think he deserves a shot at the Mem-Cup with a contender.
ReplyDeletePat, Would you PLEASE explain to me WHY we still have 12 teams in the WHL Eastern Conference while the West has only ten teams?? Putting Kootenay in the West makes SO much sense! The average drive time for them to get to each city would actually be LESS (7.5 hrs in WEST vs 8.4 hrs currently in EAST) - Top eight teams per conference make the post-season... More fair to have 3 teams out in each conference, than the current setup with only 2 missing the playoffs in the West and 4 in the East!! - Richie.
I was told that Bancks was asked if he wanted a trade and he said he wanted to stay with the Hurricanes so don't feel too bad for him, if that is the case.
ReplyDeleteHenke and Sbisa were both class acts and will be missed. I wish them both all the best.
cc.
With that CHL import draft picks, do we move up or down?
ReplyDeleteDown I believe, given Portland will finish ahead of Lethbridge in the standings.
ReplyDeleteHey Richie: The Ice have been in the BC Division before but then were put back in the Central in order to have balance in both divisions in the Eastern Conference. The practical solution would be to move the PG Cougars back to Victoria, get Nanimo off their butts with a new rink and add a franchise there. That would make 12 teams in both conferences.
ReplyDeleteApparently there was a lot of interest in Bancks, but I think he wanted to stay here and provide the excellent leadership that he always has and with Sbisa gone, his leadership will be even more important.
Prediction: watch for Mike Reddington to pick up his game as he once again becomes the leader of the blueline brigade.
RJ
Well if Banksie is staying thats even better for our club. High Five to him for putting the team ahead of his personal feelings -- now that is class!! I did think there would be a few more trades from Lethbridge, but at least we still have a competitive team and yet it looks good for the building seasons.
ReplyDelete