Swift Current, SK---Swift Current Broncos General Manager Mark Lamb has announced the club has acquired forward Stepan Novotny and prospect Tanner Clark from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for forward Geordie Wudrick.Novotny, 19 years old, from Prague, Czech Republic is currently leading the Rockets in scoring with 14 goals and 25 points in 23 games. Last season he had 41 points in 65 games in his first WHL season. He is 6’2 and 194 pounds. Prior to last season Novotny played for the Indiana Ice of the USHL.
Clark, hails from Rosetown, SK and is a 5’11" and 160 pounds defenseman. Last season he played with the Moose Jaw Warriors AAA midget team, he has recently joined the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL. The Rockets selected Clark in the 3rd round of the 2008 bantam draft, 54th over-all.
“We are excited to be able to obtain a player of Novoty’s caliber,” comments Mark Lamb, “he has had a good first quarter of the season in Kelowna and we look for him to continue his strong play here. We are also pleased to add Tanner Clark into our prospect system.”
Wudrick departs Swift Current after 4 seasons with the Broncos, he was the club’s highest ever draft pick, selected # 2 over-all in 2005. He has 14 points in 23 games this season.
Lamb adds: “We would like to thank Geordie for the contributions he has made to the hockey club and wish him the best of luck in Kelowna.”
I'll weigh in with my take later, obviously this deal was a long time coming. Trade talk around Geordie dates back to early last season when Broncos Head Coach/GM Dean Chynoweth was at the helm.
It sounds like two players just needing a change of scenery.
More later.
Jon
12 comments:
suprised a 20 year old didnt go?
No, they have some time to make a move there.
Good trade for the Broncos Woody only played when he wanted to and seemed like he wanted to get moved. I know his potential is high but can't believe we got this much for Wudrick. Good Trade.
Jon,
How long until Tassone's back? I'm told 1-2 weeks.
JB
Good question Jeff. I'm not sure but that would be a really good guess.
In my opinion this is the best news we have had since we won the memorial cup in 89. What a bust this kid was. It was painful watching him night and night out. Tassone's date of return in Dec 1st
6'3" 220 lbs. with ABSOLUTELY no physical aspect to his game what-so-ever. One of the softest players I've ever seen. Not overly skilled offensively either for a second over-all draft pick. Personally, I was very happy to see this trade. We wont miss Wudrick at all in my opinion. I don't think he has what it takes to ever play in the NHL. Lamb got the best of this deal and I think Kelowna will find that out the rest of the season but maybe a change is what he needs right now. It'll be fun to see him back here in December.
What a great deal! Once he settles in, our power play is going to be deadly.
You call 35 goals from last year a bust????? All the best in Kelowna Geordie!
Great trade and beside Novotny being a more skilled player who will bring the exact same physical dimension as you could count on from the guy who is leaving town. It is an upgrade on skill. you also get Clark who is a promising dman (with an upside to be great) and who will get big minutes in Humboldt this year. Having him able to go to Humboldt is huge because Brockman will get him ready for WHL level. He will be a very good dman in the WHL at 19 - maybe even a game changer by that point. Great trade.
CDSC
yes, a 35 goal bust. You won't find 20 people who disagree.
Just because you are drafted never means you have most talent or the whole package. Wudrick is a kid who went high in the draft and people expected amazing things from him. Half the kids who are drafted never should be anyways.
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