Reflecting on Tigers league-wide trade history ahead of deadline
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 4, 2024.
sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The Medicine Hat Tigers aren’t the most active trading team in the league but over the years have made deals with all of their counterparts. With the Western Hockey League’s trade deadline near on Jan. 10, here’s a look at the last deal Medicine Hat has made with the other 21 Western Hockey League teams and a little bit on how each deal turned out.Eastern conference
Central division
Edmonton Oil Kings Sept. 16, 2019: The Tigers acquired 20-year-old defenceman Parker Gavlas for a fourth-round pick in 2021. Gavlas brought a physical presence to the Medicine Hat blue line but COVID-19 shutdowns ended his WHL career before he could play in the playoffs for Medicine Hat. Calgary Hitmen May 24, 2017: The Tigers sent goaltender Nick Schneider to the Hitmen in exchange for a 2019 conditional fourth-round pick. The conditions were not met for the pick. Lethbridge Hurricanes Jan. 17, 2022: Medicine Hat sends 20-year-old forward Corson Hopwo to the Hurricanes at the deadline for 20-year-old Logan Barlage and a fourth-round pick in 2022. Hopwo was looking for playoff experience and Barlage filled a much-needed centre role on the 11-win Tigers. Medicine Hat used the fourth rounder to select local defenceman Hudson Gainer. Red Deer Rebels Jan. 9, 1998: Almost 26 years ago the Tigers and Rebels came together to make a trade. Medicine Hat acquired 17-year-old goaltender Cam Ondrik and 15-year-old forward Kevin Labbe in exchange for 18-year-old net minder Dustin Schwartz and 19-year-old forward Jeff Temple. Schwartz is the current goaltender coach for the Edmonton Oilers. Swift Current Broncos Oct. 24, 2005: The Tigers acquired local forward Jerrid Sauer from Swift Current in exchange for 17-year-old Spencer McAvoy and the rights to Dale Weise. Sauer played 182 games for his hometown Tigers, part of the 2006-07 Memorial Cup finalist roster.East division
Brandon Wheat Kings Dec. 6, 2013: Medicine Hat acquired 18-year-old goaltender Christopher Tai for a conditional pick in 2015. Tai made just one start for the Tigers and finished his career in Junior A. Moose Jaw Warriors Sept. 10, 2015: Medicine Hat acquired 19-year-old defenceman Connor Clouston from the Moose Jaw Warriors for a fifth-round pick in the 2016 WHL draft. Clouston, the son of former Tigers general manager and head coach Shaun Clouston, played the one season in Medicine Hat before graduating. Prince Albert Raiders Sept. 20, 2022: Medicine Hat sent goaltender James Venne to Prince Albert in exchange for a 2023 eighth-round draft pick. Venne has not appeared in a game for the Raiders and has posted an 18-6-2 record and a .910 save percentage for the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs this season. The Tigers selected forward Avery Watson with the eighth rounder. Regina Pats May 22, 2017: Medicine Hat acquired goaltender Jordan Hollett from the Pats in exchange for forward Matt Bradley, a 2018 second-round pick and a fifth-round selection in the 2019 draft. Hollett played two seasons for the Tigers after the trade and finished his hockey career in the orange and black. Saskatoon Blades Dec. 27, 2021: The Tigers engaged in a three-team trade with the Blades and Prince George Cougars. Medicine Hat sent defenceman Ryan Nolan and a 2023 fourth rounder to Saskatoon in exchange for defenceman Pasha Bocharov and forward Brendan Lee. Bocharov played 101 games for the Tigers across two seasons before being traded to Tri-City this fall. Lee was an offensive force for Medicine Hat after the trade, scoring 32 goals in 57 games in 2022-23 before graduating.Western conference
B.C. division
Kamloops Blazers Sept. 13, 2022: Medicine Hat traded forward Ashton Ferster to the Blazers for an eighth-round pick in 2025. A 77th overall pick in 2018, Ferster had nine goals and 19 points in 76 points as a Tiger. He played full time with the Blazers on their Memorial Cup run and fills a 20-year-old slot this season. Kelowna Rockets Dec. 31, 2023: The most recent Tigers trade, acquiring 18-year-old forward Marcus Pacheco for 18-year-old Brett Calhoon, a 2024 third rounder and 2025 fifth rounder. Prince George Cougars Dec. 27, 2021: The Tigers conducted a three-team trade with the Cougars and the Saskatoon Blades. The Tigers sent forwards Carlin Dezainde and Cayden Glover and a conditional second-round pick in 2023 to the Cougars. The conditions on that pick were not met and Medicine Hat eventually sent it in a package with two other picks for the Blades 21st overall pick in the same draft, selecting Markus Ruck. Medicine Hat received a 2025 fifth round pick from Prince George in the deal. Vancouver Giants Dec. 7, 2019: The Tigers acquired forward Lukas Svejkovsky and defenceman Dylan Plouffe from Vancouver alongside a third rounder in 2020 and a conditional third round selection in 2021. They sent forward Tyler Preziuso, defenceman Trevor Longo, a first round pick in 2020 and a conditional fifth rounder in 2021. Svejkovsky was the piece Medicine Hat needed heading into what was expected to be a deep playoff run cut short by COVID-19 shutdowns. He was later traded to Seattle in the 2021-22 season. Victoria Royals June 7, 2022: The Tigers traded forward Teague Patton to the Royals for a fourth round pick in 2025. Patton recorded a career-high 16 goals and 49 points for the Royals in 2022-23. The 20-year-old was traded to Everett last off-season.U.S. division
Everett Silvertips Oct. 18, 2022: Medicine Hat acquired future starting goaltender Evan May and a 2025 fifth rounder for forward Oren Shtrom, a 2023 eighth rounder and a ninth rounder in ’24. May had two games under his belt before becoming the Tigers backup and appearing in 19 games during the 2022-23 season. He’s started in 20 games this season. Portland Winterhawks Oct. 19, 2022: The Tigers acquired 20-year-old defenceman Kurtis Smythe, sending a 2023 eighth rounder to Portland. Smythe had two goals and 13 points in 57 games for the Tigers, finishing his four-year WHL career in the orange and black. Seattle Thunderbirds Oct. 3, 2023: The Tigers sent 19-year-old defenceman Braden Wynne to Seattle for a 2024 ninth round pick after inviting him to training camp. Wynne’s played 20 games for Seattle with three assists. A day prior they sent forward Cru Hanas to the Thunderbirds for a conditional fifth rounder in 2025 and the rights to 16-year-old defenceman prospect Reily Pickford. Hanas had played 20 games for the Thunderbirds, notching four assists. Spokane Chiefs Sept. 20, 2021: Medicine Hat trades defenceman Ben Bonni for an eighth round pick in 2023. Bonni has played full time for the Chiefs over the last two seasons. The pick was sent to Portland in the Kurtis Smythe trade. Tri-City Americans Sept. 9, 2023: The Tigers send defenceman Pasha Bocharov to the Americans for a 2025 fourth round pick. Bocharov was looking for more playing time and a bigger role on the blue line. Wenatchee Wild Sept. 19, 2022: Medicine Hat traded forward Steven Arp to the then Winnipeg Ice for a ninth round pick in 2025. Arp was listed by Medicine Hat and played 50 games in the orange and black. He spent the majority of the ’22-23 season in the MJHL, has found a full-time role with Wenatchee this season. 49-48
