The most anticipated trade of the season happened four days prior to the Jan. 10 deadline.
The Calgary Hitmen have dealt 19-year-old defenceman Jake Bean to the Tri-City Americans for the 17-year-old forward Carson Focht, 18-year-old defenceman Dakota Krebs, a second-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, a first-round pick in the 2019 Draft and a second rounder in 2020.
Bean was the 13th overall selection by the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Through four seasons and 187 career games with the Hitmen, Bean has compiled 42 goals, 133 assists and 195 points with a plus-4 rating. This season, he was their leading scorer prior to the World Junior Championship with 27 points in 25 games. He also has a pair of goals and eight assists in 16 career playoff games. He leaves the Hitmen third in career assists.
It is quite the haul for the local product Bean, who went undrafted through the Bantam Draft.
In three trades this season the Hitmen have now acquired five Bantam picks, which includes a second-round pick from the Swift Current Broncos in 2018 and a third-round pick in 2019 from the Victoria Royals.
Hitmen General Manager Jeff Chynoweth issued this in a statement released by the team at 10:03 p.m. Jan. 6:
“We would first like to commend Jake for his terrific career in Calgary. His contributions to our organization both on the ice and in the minor hockey community have been exceptional”, said Hitmen general manager Jeff Chynoweth. “This transaction provides us with another skilled 2000-born forward in Carson and a three-year veteran in Dakota who will bring depth and experience to our defensive core. We look forward to welcoming both players to our lineup on Sunday against Kelowna.”
Along with the five draft picks, the Hitmen have acquired two 17-year-old players that went in the first round of the 2015 Bantam Draft.
Focht was the seventh-overall pick by the Americans. He was taken three picks in front of Riley Stotts, who has been a revelation since joining the Hitmen as a key return piece of the Matteo Gennaro and Beck Malenstyn trade to the Swift Current Broncos.
A Regina product, Focht racked up 70 points in 38 games with the bantam AAA Notre Dame Hounds of the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League.
Focht was working his way through his third season with the Americans. He made his debut as a 15-year-old and played in a pair of games.
In his first full year with the Americans, he appeared in 62 games, scored three goals and finished with eight points. He also played in the post season with the Americans last season when they were swept by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
He also spent time with Team Canada White during the 2016-17 World Hockey Challenge. He played in six games, scored one goal and added two assists, while he shared a locker room with current Hitmen forward Tristen Nielsen.
Focht has already doubled his career totals this season through 37 games with the Americans. He joins the Hitmen (13-21-5-1) with six goals and 18 points.
Due to injuries and the World Junior Championship, the Hitmen have been forced to play a pair of affiliated defencemen, including the 15-year-old Luke Prokop.
Dakota Krebs will help alleviate some pressure on the back end, as he brings 151 WHL games of experience to the blue line.
An Okotoks native, Dakota is the older brother to the Kootenay Ice rookie sensation Peyton Krebs.
In three years with the Americans, he has 12 points and 89 penalty minutes.
The Americans (20-12-5-0) are currently tied with the Spokane Chiefs (21-15-1-2) for the final divisional playoff spot in the U.S. Division with 45 points.
The Hitmen’s season hasn’t panned out as they likely hoped for and continue to fight for the final divisional playoff spot in the Central. Their 6-1 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes (17-19-3-0) brings them within five points of the final playoff spot.
Taking a look at other deals for high-end defencemen this season and the fact that the Hitmen made this deal four days before the deadline makes it seem like this was the best offer Chynoweth had on the table.
More to follow tomorrow.
