In a major move that has sent shockwaves through the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Moose Jaw Warriors have traded their captain Brayden Yager to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The blockbuster trade was announced on Tuesday, with the Warriors receiving a package of draft picks and players in exchange for Yager, who has been with the team since the 2018-2019 season.
Yager, a 19-year-old forward from Saskatoon, has been a key player for the Warriors, recording 20 goals and 25 assists in 112 games. He was also named captain of the team at the beginning of the 2020-2021 season.
The Hurricanes, who currently sit at the top of the WHL’s Central Division, are hoping that Yager’s experience and leadership will help them in their quest for a championship title.
In return, the Warriors will receive a first-round pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, and 17-year-old forward Logan Barlage.
Barlage, a native of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, has been a standout player for the Hurricanes, recording 11 goals and 14 assists in 23 games this season.
The Warriors will also receive 17-year-old defenseman Alex Cotton, who has recorded 10 goals and 22 assists in 23 games this season.
The trade comes as a surprise to many, as Yager was seen as a key player for the Warriors and a potential future NHL draft pick. However, Warriors general manager Alan Millar stated that the team felt it was the right time to make a move and that they are excited about the players they are receiving in return.
The WHL trade deadline is on January 10, and it is expected that there will be more moves made by teams as they prepare for the second half of the season.
Fans of both the Warriors and the Hurricanes will be eagerly watching to see how this trade will impact their teams and if it will lead to success on the ice.
