Blazers make blockbuster deal with Everett

The Kamloops Blazers have made a significant trade three days prior to the WHL trade deadline.

The Blazers have sent veteran 19-year-olds Garrett Pilon and Ondrej Vala to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for 17-year-old defenceman Montana Onyebuchi, 17-year-old forward Orrin Centazzo, 2002-born prospect Kalen Ukrainetz, 2002-born prospect Nathanael Hinds, a first-round pick in 2019 and a fourth-round pick in 2019.

“First off, we’d like to thank Ondrej and Garrett for their contributions to our program. They are leaders on and off the ice and will always be Blazers in our eyes,” commented meneral Manager, Stu MacGregor. “This was a difficult decision as we are losing two quality hockey players and persons. We wish them all the best in Everett and with their professional careers moving forward.”

Onyebuchi is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound right shot defenceman from Dugald, Man. He is in his second WHL season and has three goals, seven assists and 65 penalty minutes in 38 games this season.

“Montana is a significant add to our roster. He will fit in nicely as a right-shot defenceman in our young and developing group of D-men.”

Centazzo is in his second season in the WHL. The Marwayne, Alta. prospect has six goals and 11 points in 40 games this season. In 81 career WHL games, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound forward has 10 goals and 10 assists.

“Orrin plays with a lot of passion and energy. His skillset and work ethic is what stands out in his game. We believe he will add to our young nucleus of forwards.”

In addition to the roster players, the Blazers have also acquired 2002-born prospect forwards Kalen Ukrainetz and Nathanael Hinds.

Ukrainetz is from Wynyard, Sask. and plays for the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. He is third on team scoring with 11 goals and 10 assists in 29 games this season. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound forward was a ninth-round pick of the Everett Silvertips in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.

Hinds, 5-feet-10, 160 pounds, was selected by Everett in the third round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. He's a forward with the Winnipeg Bruins of the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League and has seven goals and 15 assists in 28 games this season.

“The acquisition of Kalen and Nathanael was an important part of this deal. We thought highly of both of them during the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. We are excited to meet the players and their families and introduce them to our program,” said MacGregor.