Watch above: In a blockbuster trade, the Saskatoon Blades dealt Nelson Nogier and Austin Adamson to the Red Deer Rebels for Mason McCarty and two draft picks. Kim Thue breaks down the deal and what it means for the Blades moving forward.
SASKATOON – After a crushing defeat on the weekend, Saskatoon Blades general manager and head coach Bob Woods made it clear that changes could soon be on the way. The hockey club then announced a ‘blockbuster’ trade Sunday with the Red Deer Rebels.
Blades assistant captain Nelson Nogier and Austin Adamson are moving to Red Deer in exchange for right winger Mason McCarty and a first and second round draft pick.
On Saturday, Saskatoon was defeated for the 10th time in a row.
WATCH HERE: Pats score with seconds left to beat Blades 5-4
“This trade was an opportunity for us as a organization to really improve our future here and when you get picks like that you can find some pretty good players and just talking to our scouts there’s a lot of good players coming up,” said Woods.
The first-round pick acquired through the trade is in 2016 while the second rounder is in 2015. The Blades now have four first-round bantam draft picks over the next two years.
“We have a lot of picks now that we can use to bring some pretty quality people in here, next year, if not, even find some good young talent that’s out there available now,” said Woods.
“It gives us a lot better options and again it’s still going to be a process but I think it’s going in the right direction.”
The last time the Blades drafted in the first round was 2010.
Saskatoon is currently tied for last place in the Western Hockey League (WHL), with seven wins in 34 games.
McCarty, 17, has one goal and two assists in 14 games with the Rebels over this season and last season. He is from Blackie, Alt. and played in the Alberta AAA Midget Hockey League before that.
Saskatoon-born Nogier, 18, played 128 games with the Blades over the past four seasons. He was drafted in round four by the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets in 2014.
READ MORE: Nelson Nogier returns to Saskatoon Blades from Winnipeg Jets camp
Right winger Adamson, 18, from Vancouver, scored 5 goals and 5 assists for the Blades over the last two seasons.
“It’s pretty exciting but it’s a sad day too because those guys are both top-quality kids,” said Woods.
The Blades play their last game before the Christmas break on Wednesday when they travel to Swift Current to take on the Broncos.
*With files from Global News’ Jack Haskins
Comments