Kamloops aquire Hrbas from Oilkings

Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green announced today the team has traded import defenceman Marek Hrbas to the Kamloops Blazers.

The Oil Kings dealt the 18-year-old blue-liner and the 27th overall selection at this week's 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft to the Blazers in exchange for the 18th overall selection at the 2011 CHL Import Draft and the Blazers' fifth-round selection at the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Hrbas, a native of Plzen, Czech Republic, played 64 games with the Oil Kings in 2010-11, scoring five goals and 12 assists for 17 points. He was one of two import players on Edmonton's roster alongside forward Kristians Pelss, an Edmonton Oilers NHL draft pick. Hrbas was also the captain for the Czech Republic at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

"We'd like to thank Marek for his time with the Oil Kings and we wish him all the best with his new team," Green said of the deal with Kamloops.

The 2011 CHL Import Draft is this Wednesday starting at 7 a.m. MT, and the Oil Kings will have the 18th overall selection in the first round, scheduled to be made at 9:50 a.m. MT, as a result of today's trade. Each team in the CHL is allowed to carry two import players on their roster.