Thursday 9 January 2014

Russ Maxwell Traded to Seattle For Two Players & Draft Pick

The Lethbridge announced today they have traded 19-year veteran Forward Russ Maxwell to Seattle for Seth Swenson, Michal Holub and a fourth round pick in 2014.

 

The Lethbridge Hurricanes drafted the Magrath, AB native in the 6th round (121st overall) in the 2009 Bantam Draft and he made an immediate impact as a 16-year old. In 69 games in his rookie campaign, he had 24 points, including 9 goals, and the following year he played all 72 games registering 15 goals and 16 assists. Last season was his best in the WHL with 55 points (22G, 33A) in 66 games, a -3 plus/minus rating and 91 PIM’s. His efforts last season also earned Maxwell the Top Scorer Award and his work off the ice garnered him the Community Relations Award as well at the Hurricanes year end awards ceremony. This season, the Hurricanes Assistant Captain put up 27 points (10G, 17A) in 42 games.

 

“Russ is a character guy in our organization. His leadership, his community work and his dedication to the community and his team speaks for itself. There aren’t many players like him not only in the hockey world, but in the sports field in general” commented Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager Brad Robson.  Robson went on to say that making this trade wasn’t an easy one. “He wanted the opportunity to play in the playoffs, so this was an opportunity to fulfill his request and dreams given the personal commitments he has for next year.”

 

Russ Maxwell couldn’t say enough about his time with Lethbridge. “I’m very thankful to the fans for their support since I joined the Hurricanes. The support has meant a lot to me and I’m thankful to the organization for all they’ve done for me as well. I do wish the team the best in the future.”

 

With Swenson, the Hurricanes are getting a 1993-born, 6’2, 208 lb. right winger who has played in 43 games with Seattle this season registering 20 points, including 8 goals. Robson says “he’s a big kid, a big body and he works hard and plays hard. He’s also an excellent penalty killer, while Holub, a 1996-born 6’0, 190 lb. forward will also be an asset to our team.”

13 comments:

  1. Good luck Russ. You have been a true leader on and off the ice. Best wishes in all of your future endeavours.

    It is nice to see BR trying to accommodate the request of a player that had been the heart and soul of this team for his years here.

    A View from Above

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  2. Here's an Idea..... Do the long time fans and communitee a good deed and sell the team to someone who cares...Not some LAA alum and Chicken Boy....SELL SELL SELL....... D.A

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    1. I agree Rewind 2 yrs, Coach change (check) GM change(check) Board of Directors change (nope). Time for a whole sale change. Bring someone in who has something to lose. Most WHL,OHL and QMJHL teams are privatley owned and opperated. Sell it to a local group and watch the team turn it around. Go Canes Go , Trim the fat off the top.

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  3. Sorry, View, Russ never requested this, it was suggested by the organization to several of the vets -- the ones in their final seasons -- that if a trade could be done, it would be. Russ merely said he'd be open to it, but he also made it clear he was happy to stay. And based on the emotions at his press conference today, you'd be a fool to doubt the kid.

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    1. Did not see or hear the presser today. Regardless still wish all the best to Russ. He is a quality young man who always gave his all to the team

      A View from Above

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  4. Love Russ. Heart & Soul of a Lion and Champion. Great that he was traded to the Seattle Hurricanes where he will know most of the starting lineup. Great that we got some return, but even better, it was the right thing to do for a loyal warrior, and could not be happier for him to get a shot at the playoffs. Go get 'em, Russ!!

    Will miss watching him TONS, but LOVE the move.... which is saying a LOT, cause I haven't even LIKED ANYTHING the board, GM, or coaches have done in the past five years.

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  5. We too are very happy for the opportunity Russ has been given. Much like when Cam Braes was traded, it is very difficult to see a young man of this caliber both on and off the ice move on. How wonderful that he is going to see playoffs with his friends on the ice with him.

    Good luck Russell. You will always be remembered as one of the most dedicated Hurricanes and the Mrs. and I thank you for your commitment to this team.

    -cc

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  6. All the comments are bang on. Russ has given his heart and soul as a Hurricane and Lethbridge Minor Hockey player. I remember watching him and his cousin, Brooks, dominate as Bantam players here. A true joy to watch.

    He will be sorely missed. I am anxious to hear the press conference and hope Russ can do some serious damage with the T-Birds, taking them through a few rounds of the playoffs. He deserves all the success he achieves. Good luck Russticles.

    Wannabe Oldtimer

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  7. I cannot think of anything positive done by this management group the last 5 years. They were going to build thru the draft with all kinds of high draft picks...now the only high draft picks left are Duke and Estaphan. Its nothing short of a disaster. There was no success early in the rebuild so we waited patiently...now was supposed to be our time. Rich was brutal but so was Brad...They are responsible..Lethbridge is not a place where players want to play and its not because of the city or the facility...kids arrive with dreams and leave with nothing. BR is responsible for the mess and the board does not have the testosterone to deal with it...If this was private ownership this would never of happened and right now with the draft picks and proper drafting and trading. We are no closer to being competative next year then we were 5 years ago...why are the hitman, Edmonton, Kelowna,Brandon,Portland, Koonenay ect. ect never out of the playoffs......Russ deserved better as do most of the kids that have endured these last 5 years....Oh well. We will continue on and will have lots of excuses why we are not better and Brad and the rest of the management will continue to get paid.

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    1. Stop whining, this post is about Russ who finally gets to play on a playoff team along with his good friend and former roomie Sam!!

      He played his heart out for 4 years as a Cane and the only negative to this deal is that Russ has already played his last game at the Enmax and won't receive the great tribute that he deserves!!

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  8. Guess I will have to buy a copy of that $2 excuse for a program just so I know who is who.
    Two guys I feel happy for, Russ Maxwell (heart and soul of this club) who deserves a shot at the playoffs, especially when you consider he will not be playing next season. The other is Johnny Hogue who will be playing for the Canes for the next while. Mind you, is BR going to go after a goaltender to help JH out?

    One burning question after the trades.........maybe another tomorrow, why trade for the rights to a player who has been troublesome at best and maybe bring more negativity into the dressing room.

    Dump 'n Chase

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  9. Two Alberta players, two BC players and two players from Manitoba were among the six named to the tournament All-Star team.

    Goaltender Ryan Kubic and forward Nolan Patrick of Team Manitoba, defenceman Kale Clague and forward Sam Steel of Team Alberta, and defenceman Dante Fabbro and forward Tyson Jost of Team BC were all selected to the tournament All-Star team, in recognition of their strong individual performances.

    Clague, Team Alberta’s captain, recorded five assists in four games to help lead Alberta to the Gold medal, including a pair of assists in the Gold medal game. A first round pick of the Brandon Wheat Kings, Clague’s five assists led all defencemen in that category, while also tying him for first among defencemen in points.

    I bet Clague feel like he just missed an oppurtunity to play for a great organization. HAHAHAHA ya right.

    Power Forward

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  10. Absolutely thrilled for Russ, but very sorry that the fans don't get a chance to cheer and salute Maxwell for his excellent and consistent efforts and years of service. (Whooo hoooo ... clap clap clap,,,, whistle ...whistle... whistle ....tear shed....tear shed....tear shed... Thanks RUSS!!)

    Great move by Robson to give him a playoff experience!!

    Richie

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