blades acquire durand

[wango tango]

from the cougars website

"The Prince George Cougars have traded F Chris Durand to the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 3rd Round Bantam selection in 2008."

[GOBLADESGO#3 (among other aliases)]

Great move by the Blades, that's all I can say about that. Durand is a solid player and I can't waite to see ihm.

[hobster]

and as well he's not a selfish players at all and he's a great leader now i would hope lorne gets his other 20 on defence and his euro picks 1 on defence and 1 on foward then were set except for cuts etc

[Triton]

He's a cousin of mine. Good he gets to go home. I'll be able to see him alot more now.

[GBG BLEED BLUE]

from the Blades website:


Durand Comes Home To Saskatoon In Trade


Saskatoon, SK: The Saskatoon Blades this afternoon announced that they completed a deal with the Prince George Cougars that sees 20-year-old centre Chris Durand return home to the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 3rd round Bantam Draft selection in 2008.



Durand, a Saskatoon native and former 1st round bantam draft selection of the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2002 appeared in 71 games last season between Seattle & Prince George where he recorded 9 goals and 18 assists for 27 points to go along with 97 penalty minutes. Durand also was a large factor in the Cougars successful post season in which he played in all of the Cougars 15 games racking up 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points to along with 14 penalty minutes before dropping the Western Conference Final to the eventual Memorial Cup Champion Vancouver Giants.

Blades General Manager and Head Coach Lorne Molleken commented on today’s move “We are very pleased to be able to bring Chris to the Blades organization and move us closer to filling out our 20-year-old quota. Chris gives us a quality player who can be a top line guy for us this upcoming season and along with Michael Kaye we feel that we have two character players who will suit our hockey very well over the next year while they finish their junior careers in their hometown.”


Chris Durand

January 21, 1987

Saskatoon, SK

Ht: 6’2 Wt: 205lbs



Year Team GP G A Pts PIM

06-07 T-Birds/Cougars 71 9 18 27 97

05-06 T-Birds 71 14 20 34 105

04-05 T-Birds 66 19 34 53 76

03-04 T-Birds 66 17 26 43

In other Blades news 2007-08 season tickets continue to be available for purchase. To reserve your seat and join the Blue Nation today by calling 975.8844 or visit www.saskatoonblades.com for more information. Saskatoon Blades Hockey... Bleed Blue.
The Blades also wish to remind fans and media that the annual CHL Import Draft will take place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week and can be followed on-line at www.chl.ca and all Saskatoon Blades selections will be posted at www.saskatoonblades.com. This year the Saskatoon Blades hold the 13th and 71st overall selections in the 2-day event.

This is a great pick-up by the Blades,not only is he a hometown guy,he is a very good player. It only cost a 3rd round pick in 08.

[Trav]

I was even thinking what the chances were of getting Durand here since he's a local guy. Solid addition.