Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE, today announced the club has traded 20-year-old Defenseman Derek Price to the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. With today's transaction the ICE are now down to the WHL limit of three 20-year-old players (Casey Lee, Dale Mahovsky, Adam Cracknell) for the 2005-2006 season.
"All transactions are difficult to make and when it involves a quality person like Derek it makes it that much tougher. We felt with as many new players we are bringing into this year's line-up we needed the experience, skill and size of the three 20-year-old forwards. This is an excellent opportunity for Derek to go to Swift Current and continue his WHL career while providing the Broncos with the same leadership qualities he bought to the ICE. We wish Derek all the best in Swift Current and thank him for his contributions on and off the ice to our Hockey Club over the past three years," added Chynoweth.
The ICE roster now consists of 23 players, including two goaltenders, eight defenseman and 13 forwards. Kootenay will open up its eighth regular season in Cranbrook with a pair of home games this weekend at the Rec Plex against the Tri-City Americans (Friday, September 23) and Spokane Chiefs (Saturday, September 24). Game time both nights will be 7:00 p.m. Tickets for both games are available at the Kootenay ICE office and Kootenay Collectibles in the Cranbrook Rec Plex.