KELOWNA — Kelowna Rockets President/GM Bruce Hamilton announced today that the Rockets have acquired the rights to centre Leon Draisaitl from the Prince Albert Raiders.
In exchange for Draisaitl’s WHL rights, Kelowna has sent European import Kris Schmidli, defenceman Dalton Yorke and a 1st round WHL bantam draft pick in 2015 to the Raiders.
Draisaitl, 19, was released back to the Western Hockey League by the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and is expected in the Rockets lineup on Wednesday when Kelowna hosts the Vancouver Giants.
A native of Cologne, Germany, Draisaitl played 37 games with the Oilers this season, scoring two goals and adding seven assists after being selected as the third overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Last year with Prince Albert, Draisaitl finished fourth in WHL scoring with 38 goals, 67 assists and 105 points in 64 games. As a 17-year-old rookie the six-foot-one 205 pounder had 21 goals and 58 points with the Raiders.
Schmidli is in his second season with the Rockets, having attended the World Junior Hockey Championship as a member of Team Switzerland this year. In 33 games for the Rockets Schmidli recorded five goals and 12 assists this year.
A defenceman, Yorke is also in his second season with the Rockets having played in 26 games this season.
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