Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Raiders hope to get the “Max” out of the Guhle trade

Nov 22, 2016 | 11:01 AM

It should come as no surprise that the Prince Albert Raiders dealt their top defenseman Brendan Guhle. However the timing of the trade is at least a mild to moderate eye-opener. The fact Guhle played last Friday night against his future teammates whom he met after the contest was borderline bizarre. 

When it became apparent the Raiders would likely miss the playoffs, the Brendan Guhle trade watch began and gained momentum with each loss. The majority of trades involving impact players for future prospects and draft choices usually happen at or around the Jan. 10 trade deadline.

However you can’t blame general manager Curtis Hunt for pulling the pin on the Prince Albert-Prince George proposition because of the principles involved. The Raiders did extremely well in the deal.

The 17-year-old Max Martin brings an impressive resume as a puck moving defenseman which includes a Provincial Bantam AAA championship, and second team all-star selection the next season in the Manitoba Major Midget hockey league. The Cougars second round draft choice, 27th overall, in 2014 was also captain of the Manitoba U-16 team and would have played in the World U-17 challenge last season if not for an injury. 

The 18-year-old left winger Kolby Johnson offers a different style. The Kerrobert kid plays an aggressive game and admits he is not shy to drop the gloves and chuck knuckles when deemed necessary. At 6’2”, 212 lbs Johnson is no shrinking violet who has scored at the Bantam AA and Midget AAA levels. Johnson scored 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 games with the Swift Current Midget AAA Legionnaires in 2013-14. The true nature of his style came through with his 101 PIMS in just 43 games.

In addition to Martin and Johnson, the Raiders get the Cougars first round draft choice in 2018 after what’s expected to be a rebuilding season in Prince George as well as a third round selection in 2019. The quality and quantity in the trade likely prompted the late November as opposed the early January move. There is also the possibility Guhle could be invited to the Canadian National junior selection camp in early December.   

There is the distinct possibility of more deals before the deadline but none will likely as big or have the potential impact of the Brendan Guhle trade. However it will be an interesting six weeks. Stay tuned.

 

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: RaidersVoice