Today is trade deadline for the WHL, and the Victoria Royals continue to make last minute changes to the team.
Earlier today, the Royals added another piece of offensive weaponry to their arsenal, acquiring 19-year-old forward Lane Zablocki from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a second-round pick in 2018, a conditional third-round pick in 2019 and a sixth-round pick in 2018.
In 40 contests this season, split between the Hurricanes and the Red Deer Rebels, the Wetaskiwin, AB native has tallied 25 points (11g-14a) and 61 penalty minutes. During the 2016-17 campaign, Zablocki registered 28 goals and 26 assists to go along with 97 minutes in penalties in 64 games with the Rebels and Regina Pats.
The 6-0, 182 lb forward has played in 176 career WHL games (2015-present) with the Hurricanes, Rebels and Pats, and has recorded 116 points (57g-59a) and 253 penalty minutes.
The Detroit Red Wings selected Zablocki in the third round, 79th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Eric Florchuk traded moments later
Moments after the Royals acquired Zablocki; the team announced they traded away forward Eric Florchuk to the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for two WHL Bantam Draft first round picks (2019 & 2021) and a fourth-round pick in 2018.
A native of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Florchuk has recorded 28 points (7g-21a) in 43 games for the Royals this season. Florchuk is in his second year in the WHL and has registered 37 points (10g-27a) in 94 career regular season games with Victoria.
He also scored the first goal in the last two teddy bear toss games sending thousands of fluffy bears onto the ice – all going to local charities.
The trade deadline closes at 2 p.m.
