The Nipawin Hawks have traded 20-year-old defenseman Henry Smith. (Submitted photo/Rhesa and Richard Petersen)

By Clark Stork

Trade News

Hawks make two moves on deadline day: clash with Klippers twice this weekend

Jan 11, 2025 | 10:25 AM

The Canadian Junior Hockey League trade deadline was Friday, the Nipawin Hawks made two moves prior to the 5 p.m. cutoff.

The Hawks sent fan favourite Henry Smith to the Niverville Nighthawks of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) for a player development fee (PDF). The two-year Hawk from Richmond, British Columbia suited up in 64 games for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) club scoring three goals and adding eight assists. The defenseman also had one of Nipawin’s two shorthanded goals this season. General Manager Tad Kozun said Smith is joining a higher ranked Manitoba team and will have a chance to have a long playoff run, he added trades of this ilk are the tough part of junior hockey.

“These days are always bittersweet when you’ve got to make deals like that, but it’s one of those moves that you make for the future for sure,” Kozun said late Friday night.

The team was also forced to acquire a goaltender after 18-year-old Nathan Claydon left the team for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Nipawin was able to add a veteran puck stopper in the waning hours of the deadline picking up 2004-born netminder Nik Trakakis from the Virden Oil Capitals, also of the MJHL for a PDF. Kozun was blindsided by Claydon’s departure but is thankful to find a goalie with experience to assist 18-year-old Gage Roberts for the remainder of the season.

“We weren’t able to watch a lot of video and be very picky with the way the market was so he’s going to be our other guy with Robby and away we go,” he said.

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The St-Laurent, Quebec product has eight wins and 11 losses in 21 games this year with Virden while posting a goals-against-average of 3.52 and a save-percentage of .879.

The Hawks will begin the stretch run of the season Saturday and Sunday with back to back games in Kindersley versus the Klippers.

West side story

The Hawks will begin the post-deadline schedule with back-to-back games against the Klippers in Kindersley.

The Hawks are seeking their first victory of 2025 against Kindersley who Nipawin hasn’t played since Sept. 27. Nipawin’s last win was Dec. 13 on the road in La Ronge, the team is winless in seven since.

Kindersley made one of the biggest trade deadline deals acquiring Mason Beukert from the La Ronge Ice Ice Wolves and should be in the Klippers lineup Saturday. Kozun said for his group the goal is still try and chase down a playoff spot until officially eliminated.

“We now we have work ahead of us but if we put in the work day in and day out we always have a chance until we are mathematically eliminated,” he said. “We just have to take it one day at a time, one game at a time, and make sure we are ready for those games.”

The Hawks will have some help in the lineup as captain Finley Radloff and second year forward Mason Karakochuk will return to the lineup. Radloff last played Dec. 7, Karakochuk has been out since Dec. 17. Kozun said having two of their top forwards and their 18 goals will be a spark for the club.

“The nice part about getting through a trade deadline is guys can settle in; they know they are here. Getting the help of Fin and Karky back in the lineup as well will be a tremendous boost for our hockey club,” Kozun concluded.

Faceoff on Saturday is 7:30 p.m., on Sunday the game will begin at 4 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted on 750 Beach Radio beginning 15 minutes prior to puck drop.