Bryden Kiesman (9) has been traded to the Portage Terriers of the MJHL. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Trade Wire

Hawks revamp roster, trade Kiesman to Portage

Oct 13, 2022 | 12:00 PM

The Nipawin Hawks announced a blockbuster trade Tuesday afternoon ahead of the team’s 7-5 victory in Yorkton.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) club sent 20-year-old sniper Bryden Kiesman to the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) for 18-year-old forwards Alyandro De Leon and Hudson Cameron. Hawks General Manager Tad Kozun said the transaction will help everyone involved.

“With Portage hosting the national championship it allows Bryden to go there and compete for a championship,” Kozun said. “I really like the return we got on that deal.”

Not only does Nipawin acquire two players with almost three years of junior eligibility but impressive upsides for both players. De Leon is from Langley, B.C. He scored four times this year with Portage and added three assists. He also put up 28 goals in his last season of under-18.

“Alyandro can flat out put the puck in the net, you can tell that by his stats,” Kozun added. “That’s someone we targeted when we talked about this kind of deal.”

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Cameron is also from British Columbia calling Kamloops home. He scored two goals in six games this year with Portage. Kozun said Cameron will also bring a dynamic element to the Hawks’ lineup.

“He’s a guy that will come in and he’s going to work hard and do things the right way, day in and day out. We’re looking forward to getting both into Nipawin and getting started with them,” Kozun said.

Earlier in the week Nipawin released a trade saying 18-year-old forward Jonah Fournier had been sent to the Dryden Ice Dogs for a player development fee (PDF). At the same time the Hawks acquired 2004-born forward Reid McKay from the Lloydminster Bobcats for a PDF. Kozun said Fournier was a positive player to coach, but the team needed to improve their depth.

“Jonah is one of those kids that gave his heart and soul every day, he is an awesome kid to work with. When you can acquire a guy with Western Hockey League experience to play in our lineup everyday it was one of those ones where I think we got better,” he said.

McKay made his Nipawin debut in Tuesday’s win over Yorkton. Both De Leon and Cameron are expected to be in the lineup against the Humboldt Broncos on Friday at the Centennial Arena. Kozun said the group is practicing hard preparing for the first meeting of the year between the clubs and is excited for the Litmus Test this week.

“We’re doing things to make the Nipawin Hawks better and we’re really excited about this group. We’re looking forward to working with these new kids in town. We’re ready to rock and roll and take this thing to the next level,” Kozun said.

Faceoff on Friday is set for 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork