Pats trade Penguins’ prospect Howe to Hitmen

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 22, 2024.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The Regina Pats moved the biggest fish in the WHL trade market Thursday morning.

The Pats traded 18-year-old forward Tanner Howe to the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for 17-year-old Reese Hamilton, forward Keets Fawcett, a second-round pick in 2027 and a third-round pick in 2025.

Howe, who turns 19 on Nov. 26, was in his second season as the Pats’ captain and fourth with the club, registering six goals and one assist in 10 games. He was selected 46th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry draft, signing an entry level contract over the summer.

In 217 career games in the WHL, Howe has 98 goals and 240 points.

Going the other way, Hamilton, a defenceman from Whitewood, Sask., is projected as a potential second or third-round pick in the 2025 Draft and will play at the upcoming CHL USA Prospects Challenge. In 20 games this season he has a goal and two assists.

Fawcett has two goals and five assists in 20 games this season.

Howe’s acquisition is the second trade the Hitmen have made this week, bringing in 20-year-old defenceman Kalem Parker from the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday.

The Clavet, Sask. product was part of the Warriors’ 2024 championship team with a career high season of six goals and 42 points in 63 games. He has three goals and 12 points in 19 games this season.

The Medicine Hat Tigers will host the Calgary Hitmen on Nov. 30.

Rebels trade Stoesser to Kelowna Rockets

The Red Deer Rebels and Kelowna Rockets also executed a trade Thursday.

Red Deer sent 19-year-old Rhett Stoesser to the Rockets for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 WHL draft and a fourth-round pick in 2027.

In 65 games with the Rebels, Stoesser had a 2.77 goals against average, an .899 save percentage and a 33-21-2-4 record with five shutouts. In eight appearances this season, Stoesser was 2-2-1-1 with a 3.28 GAA and a .892 SV%. He was signed by the Rebels after attending training camp in 2022 as a free agent invite.

The move leaves the Rebels with standout Minnesota Wild prospect, 18-year-old Chase Wutzke and the freshly recalled, 16-year-old Peyton Shore.

The Rockets have three goalies after the trade, Stoesser, 18-year-old Jake Pilon and 20-year-old Jari Kykkanen. Pilon has a 4-2 record, with an .892 SV%, a 3.37 GAA and a shutout in eight games. Kykkanen is 4-7-1 with a 3.81 GAA, a .871 SV% and a shutout.

The WHL trade deadline is Jan. 9.

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