The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins junior A hockey team shipped out underused centre Logan Froberg and the rights to talented winger Riley Woods in two separate trades last Wednesday.
Froberg, a 19-year-old Bay Port Wisconsin product who scored one goal in six games with the Bruins this season, was traded for future considerations to the Minnesota Iron Rangers of the Superior International Junior A Hockey League. Woods, a 17-year-old Regina native who is currently playing with the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats, was shipped to the Melville Millionaires for the rights to 20-year-old defenceman Tyler King, who is currently with the WHL's Kootenay Ice.
Chris Lewgood, head coach and general manager of the Bruins, said the team traded Froberg because they had 15 forwards on the roster and wanted to help provide the first year Bruin with a place to gain more ice time and a greater chance to contribute. He said the belief is Woods is not going to play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and stick with the Pats, where he has scored two goals and tallied four points in eight games so far this season. In six games with the Bruins last year, Woods picked up three goals and four points.
Lewgood said picking up King gives them a quality defenceman who can add experience on their blue line. He said it is unknown if King will play in the SJHL this year, but if he does the 6-foot 194-pound rear guard fits their needs quite well.
King is currently out of the Ice lineup after undergoing knee surgery during the summer. He is expected to resume skating before the new year, but the Ice will have five 20-year-olds on the roster when he returns. A WHL club is only allowed to have a maximum of three overage players.
In 232 games split between the Spokane Chiefs and Ice since the 2011-12 season, King had 17 goals and 79 points while also accumulating 113 penalty minutes and a plus-18 rating.
