The Nipawin Hawks have traded Carter Wickenheiser to Weyburn. (Submitted photo/Richard Petersen)

By Clark Stork

Trade winds

Hawks trade Wickenheiser to Weyburn, bolster draft stock in return

Jun 2, 2022 | 3:00 PM

The Nipawin Hawks have traded a young forward to improve their draft stock leading up to the 2022 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) draft.

The team announced today that 2004-born forward Carter Wickenheiser has been dealt to Weyburn for the Red Wings’ fifth overall pick in the draft that will take place virtually on June 10.

General manager Tad Kozun said moving a player with as much upside as Wickenheiser was tough, but the team feels they can improve with another first round pick.

“We’ve identified some guys in the draft that we think can be difference makers for us going forward,” he told northeastNOW. “To be able to move up in the draft and get another first round pick we had to give up something and, unfortunately, it was Carter.”

The Regina product scored four goals and added eight assists in his rookie season with the Hawks. He played in 56 games during the campaign.

David Gillen will begin April 6

Nipawin hires new chief administrative officer

32m ago

One more shot

Hawks with one last chance to diffuse Bombers

59m ago

February storm dumped 20 cm

Snow removal dominates discussion at Melfort council meeting

1h ago

Kozun is going into his first full year as general manager and head coach. He said trading a 2004-born player doesn’t hinder the plans for his first full year behind the bench of the club, plus the team can build beyond the upcoming year.

“We’re not hurting ourselves for next year. We’ve identified players that can come in and help our team. This is one of those things where we must look at the future and make sure we’re set up for years to come as well,” Kozun said.

Nipawin was one of the youngest teams in the SJHL last year. They finished 11^th overall in the standings and missed the playoffs. Kozun is optimistic the 2003-born players are a strong group which opened the door to move a player such as Wickenheiser.

“I think it’s going to be a great battle for them [19-year-olds] to show us what they have done over the summer and the strides they want to take. With the guys we have coming in I think we’ve identified some needs that are going to help us out,” Kozun said.

The Hawks also gave up one of their draft picks this year, they traded their 2022 fourth round pick to Flin Flon for the Bombers fourth round pick in 2023.

The Hawks are also getting close to naming an assistant coach, Kozun hopes that’s finalized before the weekend.

The organization is also preparing for their annual general meeting, that is scheduled for June 21.

–

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork