(photo courtesy Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)
The Victoria Royals completed a trade on August second, acquiring 19-year-old defenceman Anthony Bishop from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for 19-year-old forward Blake Bargar.
Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell said in a team release “This trade gives us an older, experienced forward and allows Bishop to play defense. It was a good fit for both.”
Anthony Bishop, a native of Kelowna, BC played in 66 regular season games with the Thunderbirds and 11 playoff games as Seattle captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Bishop will bring that experience to a young Royal defensive corp. Bishop showed his positional flexibility, playing as a forward to help cover the injuries Seattle faced throughout the season. A smaller defenceman, Bishop brings some play-making abilities and a decent shot, and will look to contribute on the power play.
Bargar, who was acquired in 2016 in a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors for a conditional eighth round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, recently completed his third WHL season. The hard playing product of Torrence, CA joins Seattle and will help provide depth up front.
