Olen Zellweger, fresh off a gold medal World Juniors win, is one of two players who will now don a Kamloops Blazers Jersey in 2023.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kamloops Blazers
January 09, 2023 - 8:45 AM
Kamloops Blazers finalized a landmark trade to acquire a new defenseman and forward as the team prepares to host the Memorial Cup tournament.
The Everett Silvertips handed over 19-year-old defenseman Olen Zellweger and 20-year-old forward Ryan Hofer for three players and several draft picks, according to a Jan. 8 news release.
They're expected to take to the ice in their new uniforms on Jan. 11 where the Blazers will face the Vancouver Giants at Sandman Centre.
The Blazers gave up defenseman Kaden Hammell and forward Drew Englot from its roster. It also sent prospects Jack Bakker and Rylan Pearce to the Silvertips, along with ten future draft picks.
“We would like to thank Drew and Kaden for their commitment and time with our hockey club,” GM and head coach Shaun Clouston said in the news release. “We’d like to wish Drew, Kaden, Rylan and Jack the best in their future endeavours. We’d also like to welcome Olen and Ryan to our hockey club."
Zellweger is fresh off his third gold medal with Canada's national team, with two goals and 15 assists in the 2023 World Junior Championship. The second-round NHL pick is originally from Fort Saskatchewan and led all WHL defensemen in scoring last year, helping him win the Bill Hunter Memorial WHL defensmen of the year.
Zellweger has 10 goals and 18 assists in 23 WHL games this year.
Hofer is a sixth-round NHL pick from Winnipeg, whose picked up 23 goals and 13 assists in his 36 games this season.
Kamloops Blazers are currently third in the Western Conference with 22 wins and eight losses.
They'll take on the Vancouver Giants at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
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