Calgary, AB – Calgary Hitmen General Manager Kelly Kisio announced today in advance of the WHL Trade Deadline a five-player deal with the Kamloops Blazers.
The Hitmen acquire 19-year-old right winger Tyler Shattock, 18-year-old centre Jimmy Bubnick and 19-year-old defenceman Zak Stebner in exchange for 18-year-old centre Chase Schaber and 17-year-old defenceman Austin Madaisky.
Shattock, a St. Louis Blues prospect currently leads the Blazers in scoring with 50 points (22g 28a) in 42 games.
Bubnick, an Atlanta Thrashers prospect is third in Blazers scoring with 40 points (17g 23a) while Stebner, a 6’3” 205 pound blueliner has 18 points (7g 11a).
“This is a very tough of time of year,” said Kisio. “To acquire players of this calibre we have to give up high quality players and people. We would like to thank Austin and Chase for their time in Calgary and wish them well in Kamloops.”
JIMMY BUBNICK – CENTRE
HOMETOWN: Saskatoon, SK (January 19, 1991)
HEIGHT: 6’2” WEIGHT: 190 lbs.
NHL DRAFT STATUS: Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fifth round (155th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
DID YOU KNOW? Bubnick won a Gold Medal with Canada’s U-18 Team and played in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game.
QUOTABLE: "I’m a power forward, I’d like to say. I generate my scoring chances from down low on the cycle. I’ll used the body if I can finish my hits. I play a gritty style of game and I can put the puck in the net."
By STEVE MACFARLANE, CALGARY SUN
Setting their sights on a championship, the Calgary Hitmen pulled the trigger on a big trade at the WHL deadline.
Landing two of the Kamloops Blazers' top three scorers and adding a big body on the blueline, the Hitmen gave up youngsters Chase Schaber and Austin Madaisky to score Blazers captain Tyler Shattock, centre Jimmy Bubnick and 6-foot-3 defenceman Zak Stebner.
Hitmen GM Kelly Kisio wishes his former players well, but is thrilled to bolster his lineup for the stretch run.
"I think all three are very good players who could use a new environment and a new energy rush. And I think we'll give that to them," Kisio said of the incoming talent, which includes Blazers captain Shattock, who is 17th in WHL scoring with 22 goals and 50 points in 42 games.
"I think it's a huge element. To add three guys like that to the lineup, it's hard not to do."
Disappointment after serving parts of five seasons in Kamloops quickly changed to excitement for Shattock when he digested the fact he's heading to a club expecting big things in the playoffs.
"That's a good feeling. They're trying to get to the Memorial Cup," said the 19-year-old winger as he packed yesterday.
"I've never been in a position like that before, so it'll be all new to me. But I'll take it in stride, and I'm pretty excited about it."
Bubnick, 18, was second on the Blazers with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 44 games.
Stebner has 18 points and 81 penalty minutes through 42 games.
Madaisky, 17, had 18 points on the Hitmen blueline, while Schaber, 18, scored eight goals and 27 points in 40 games.
STEVE.MACFARLANE@SUNMEDIA.CA
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