The Raiders have acquired Brandon Gorzynski from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for Ty Meunier, a second round pick in 2026, and a conditional fourth round pick in 2027. (Jenn Pierce/Calgary Hitmen, and Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Trade with Calgary

Raiders trade Meunier, acquire Gorzynski from Hitmen

Dec 15, 2025 | 3:32 PM

The WHL trade deadline is less than a month away, and the Prince Albert Raiders are sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference after Sunday’s win over Saskatoon. The Raiders made a big pickup in Maddix McCagherty just over a week ago for a few draft picks, but now the Raiders have shipped away one of their own assets to add more scoring up front.

The Raiders have acquired 18-year-old forward Brandon Gorzynski from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for 17-year-old forward Ty Meunier, a second round pick in 2026, and a conditional fourth round pick in 2027.

Gorzynski, born in Scottsdale, Arizona, was drafted 15th overall by the Hitmen in the 2022 U.S. draft, and since has been drafted in the fourth round by the Dallas Stars. Standing at 6-2, 190 pounds, he’s known to be a strong power forward who can help free the puck up on the forecheck and create opportunities for his team through a mix of physicality and speed.

“If anyone’s seen him play, I think that’s pretty easy to be honest,” said Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt about why he wanted to bring in Gorzynski. “He’s a big strong player, he’s got great offensive instincts, he can play with speed, he can play with power. He’s a veteran in our league with some playoff experience and has thrived in the playoffs.”

On the year, Gorzynski is second in team scoring for the Hitmen with 13G-16A-29P in 27 games this year. He’s currently on a two-game point streak with 2G-2A in that time. Last year in the playoffs, he posted 4G-4A in 11 playoff games.

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In his career, Gorzynski has played 137 games in the WHL over the course of three season, all with the Hitmen, and has amassed 34G-46A-80P. He played all 68 games last season as a 17-year-old.

As for the departing Ty Meunier, he’s posted 6G-9A-15P in 29 games this year as a 17-year-old sophomore in the league. Meunier was one of four players for the Raiders last year to play in all 68 games.

Hunt acknowledged the Raiders are losing a good player in the deal, but he believes the trade will allow Meunier to serve a bigger role in Calgary.

“To get a fresh start with a team that’s looking to get younger and build around that particular age group. We’re certainly thrilled with the way it’s going to work out, and we certainly appreciate what Ty did and we wish him the best.”

Meunier started off the season with 5G-3A in the first 11 games of the season, but hit a bit of a wall at Halloween. It took Meunier the next 16 games to score again during Teddy Bear Toss night on December 13, managing 1G-7A in the following 18 games.

Still, Meunier is on pace for 35 points this season, and improvement on his 29 points in his rookie year. Originally drafted seventh overall by the Raiders in 2023, the St. Albert native has already made his commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey with the University of Nebraska-Omaha following his WHL career, the same place Raider teammates Justice Christensen and Aiden Oiring have committed to.

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Nick.Nielsen@pattisonmedia.com