Calgary swings pair of trades as WHL’s Holiday freeze takes effect

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 16, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

A trio of trades came down Monday before the WHL’s roster freeze came into effect ahead of the Holidays.

The Calgary Hitmen opened the day, acquiring 18-year-old forward Julien Maze from the Regina Pats for a pair of third-round picks in the 2027 and 2028 WHL Draft.

“We are excited to add Julien to our group.” said Hitmen General Manager Garry Davidson. “He is a high-end skilled player, who has proven to drive offence at every level.”

Maze, traded to Regina last season, leads the Pats in scoring with 14 goals and 31 points in 30 games. Pats’ general manager Dale Derkatch reassured fans they look to make a push for the playoffs despite moving their leading scorer. The Pats (10-17-2-1) sit ninth in the Eastern conference, tied with the eighth-place Red Deer Rebels.

“”Our plan moving forward is to use the draft picks and assets acquired in this trade, along with additional draft capital we’ve accumulated over the past two years, to strengthen our team prior to the January trade deadline,” Derkatch said. “Our goal from the start of the season was to make the playoffs, and that remains our focus.”

Calgary made a second trade with an East division team, sending 18-year-old forward Brandon Gorzynski to the Eastern conference-leading Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for 17-year-old forward Ty Meunier, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Gorzynski was second on the Hitmen in scoring with 13 goals and 29 points in 27 games. Those numbers tie him for third in scoring on the Raiders.

Meunier was picked by the Raiders with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 WHL Draft, tallying six goals and 15 points this season.

The last trade on the day saw the Rebels acquire forward 17-year-old Patrick Sopiarz for a 2026 third-round pick and a conditional 2029 fourth-round pick.

Sopiraz has played in 29 games for the B.C. division-leading Cougars this season, recording two goals and one assist.

The WHL’s roster freeze went into effect Monday at noon and is in place until Dec. 27. The WHL trade deadline is Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. MST.