Ever since being drafted ninth general by the Saskatoon Blades in 2019, Brandon Lisowsky has accomplished nothing however rating huge targets for the staff.
That period has now come to an finish, nonetheless, with Blades president and normal supervisor Colin Priestner pulling the set off on a commerce sending Lisowsky to the west coast regardless of Saskatoon sitting first place within the East Division.
“That is clearly a weird state of affairs to be buying and selling off an all-time nice Blade whilst you’re in first,” mentioned Priestner.
“I get it, it’s bizarre. It’s not enjoyable, I didn’t need to do that.”
Lisowsky and a 2028 fifth-round decide are heading to the Victoria Royals in alternate for fellow overage ahead Tanner Scott, a second-round decide in 2025 and a second-round decide in 2028.
Regardless that it’s been a scorching begin over the primary half of the season for the 20-11-2-2 Blades, Priestner mentioned it was a transfer which needed to be accomplished.
“We don’t have any draft picks earlier than this deal till the fourth spherical this yr and we don’t have any draft picks within the yr after that till the eighth spherical earlier than in the present day,” mentioned Priestner.
“That’s not sustainable long-term. We’ve been in on most each participant for seven years that comes obtainable. Sooner or later, it’s important to repay the bank card.”
Based on Priestner, the concept of Lisowsky probably being traded mid-season was floated within the fall and was revisited over the vacation break.
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It additionally comes on the heels of a current transfer by the Blades, sending centre Lukas Hansen to the Calgary Hitmen in alternate for prospect ahead Adam Halat.
Scoring 143 profession targets in 256 common season video games, Lisowsky has etched his identify into Blades historical past as he’ll end his tenure in Saskatoon sitting fifth in franchise objective scoring.
It’s all been whereas overcoming challenges as one of many smallest gamers on the ice any given night time.
“He’s a unbelievable participant that bought a ton out of a five-foot-eight body,” mentioned Priestner. “To place up 140 or one thing targets with us, that’s fairly superior.”
Whereas the Blades have been in a position to put pen to paper on a Lisowsky, deal, a fair greater commerce could also be on the way in which for the Blades with star defenceman Tanner Molendyk in Ottawa with Canada’s World Junior staff.
Thought to be the largest potential commerce chip within the WHL this yr, Priestner mentioned it’s one thing the staff is actively exploring within the coming days.
“He’s the most effective [defencemen] the Blades will ever have,” mentioned Priestner. “Clearly we’re listening to provides on him; we’d be silly to not within the state of affairs we’re in. He’s the sort of man that may yield you a number of, good belongings.”
Taking up the Blades amid a five-year stretch with out tasting the post-season, Priestner added it’s a state of affairs the staff doesn’t need to be in once more.
He pressured the significance of turning over the roster and prospect pool to youthful expertise with out the same old boom-bust cycle of junior hockey.
“Once you’ve been by means of 5 – 6 years of lacking the playoffs and also you see the market go to nothing the place you’ll be able to’t even give away tickets to your video games, it’s not enjoyable to be part of,” mentioned Priestner.
“It’s one thing we’ll by no means undergo once more, so no matter now we have to do to ensure that doesn’t occur we’ll.”
The WHL commerce deadline is about for Jan. 9, whereas the Blades will play their first sport of the post-Lisowsky period on Friday internet hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings at 7:00 p.m. with Scott anticipated to make his Saskatoon debut.
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