Pats trade Bosch to Warriors for Prokop
Regina, Saskatchewan – The best rivalry in hockey just got a little more interesting today. The Regina Pats have resolved their goaltending situation by dealing 18 year-old goaltender Jeff Bosch to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for 18 year-old centre Neal Prokop.
Prokop, a native of Winnipeg, was the Warriors first pick in the 2005 WHL Bantam draft (5th overall), and was at Columbus Blue Jackets training camp this past summer as a free agent. He is in his third full season in the WHL and is coming off a 2007-08 season where he posted a career best 13 goals.
#25 Neal Prokop – Centre
6’3” 212 lbs.
Hometown: Winnipeg, Mb.
Born: Jan. 28th 1990
2008-09: 14GP 2G 4A 6PTS 19pim
“This has been a long difficult process that has gone on much longer than I could have imagined. All three of the kids have handled this in a very mature and professional manner and I thank them all very much for that”, Pats General Manager Brent Parker explains. “Jeff is a tremendous young man and a talented goaltender and we wish him all the best, having said that we believe that we have received fair value in return. Neal is player that we coveted during his bantam draft year when he was taken 5th overall and we think his skill and vision will be a perfect fit for our style of play.”
Mr. Parker will be available for comment at 4pm outside the Regina Pats office.
Neal Prokop will make his Regina Pats debut on Wednesday night at 7pm, as the top team in the Central Division, the Calgary Hitmen pay a visit to the ‘Dome to meet the East Division’s top team in the Pats.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Blazers Acquire Lyon from the Vancouver Giants
KAMLOOPS, BC – The Kamloops Blazers announce today the acquisition of 17-year-old forward Brett Lyon from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a 6th round selection in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. The Blazers have subsequently signed Lyon to a WHL Education Agreement and Player Contract and he is expected to join the club in time for practice on Wednesday.
“We’re excited to add Brett to our team,” says General Manager Craig Bonner. “He comes to us at 17 which is a good fit for our roster right now. We expect him to fill a role as a power forward adding depth to the physical dimension of our team.”
Lyon, from Grand Forks, BC, is a 6’1”, 180-pound left winger who started the season with the Westside Warriors of the BCHL. He scored 2 goals and added 4 assists – to go along with 47 penalty minutes - in 19 games with the Warriors this season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Chilliwack Bruins and Prince Albert Raiders complete trade
The Chilliwack Bruins have acquired 19 year old forward Andy Smith from the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for 19 year old goaltender Matt Esposito and a fourth round pick in the 2010 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Smith was the Raiders sixth round selection in the 2004 Bantam Draft. In 139 games with Prince Albert, the 5’11”, 178 pound centre from Rosetown, Saskatchewan, has scored 33 goals and 28 assists. This season Smith has appeared in 23 games with 6 goals and 3 assists.
Esposito played from 2005-08 in the WHL with Everett and Chilliwack and is currently playing with Sherwood Park Crusaders in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He has appeared in 95 career WHL games with a Goals Against Average of 3.03 and Save Percentage of .895.
“This allows Andy Smith an opportunity to showcase his offensive ability and the Raiders would like to thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best,” commented General Manager and Head Coach Bruno Campese. “In addition to the draft pick, Matt Esposito becomes a depth goaltender for our organization.”
“In Andy Smith, we have added experience and offence to our line up, two things that we feel had been lacking this season,” commented Bruins General Manager Darrell May. “We feel that with the opportunity here Andy will be a key contributor 5 on 5 and on special teams as well.” |
