Today the Regina Pats announced the trade of starting goalie Max Paddock to the Prince Albert Raiders. In return the Pats receive 17-year-old forward Jakob Brook, a second round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and a conditional third round pick in 2022. Conditions on the third round pick are if Paddock plays next season as a 20-year-old.
(Photo – Lucas Chudleigh Apollo Multimedia)
Brook has appeared in 99 regular season games and 23 playoff games for the Raiders. He has collected 9 goals and 14 assists.
“He’s a big, fast, strong winger who has some upside. He’s really good friends with Drew Englot which I didn’t know until I talked to him. From what I gather, they have the same sort of approach. I think it’s obvious to everybody who comes to our games, how Drew plays the game, big, fast, strong. So we’re excited to have somebody like that,” said John Paddock about Brook at Thursday’s press conference. “His knee has a cartilage tear. He won’t be playing for a little while, but it’s no concern to us.”
Jacob Brook was the key to the trade. John Paddock was looking for an 2002-born player saying; “a bridge from where we are at with some numbers with the 01’s going ahead to our 04 group that we like last year. I wasn’t much interested in a deal with strictly draft picks even if it happened to include a first. It’s just too far down the road. We need a bridge player here so he was big, big part.”
Moving on from a player who has been in the organization as long as Max Paddock has been is always hard, but it could have been harder for John Paddock, being Max’s uncle.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
“I don’t think so. I never really let myself think about it (the relationship), maybe to some extent. But no, I don’t think it was.” Said Paddock.
Trading in division can be a no-no at times but Paddock thinks this isn’t one of them saying, “Prince Albert doesn’t lose any forwards next year, they’re going to be a really strong team. So it enters my mind, but we’re not in that class right now. It is what it is. We’ll get back in that class.”
The goaltending situation going forward will see Donovan Buskey take the starting role. Danton Belluk will be the back up. Matthew Kieper has joined the team on the U.S. Division road trip as Belluk is hurt at the moment.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
“Our goaltending is in good hands,” said Paddock when asked about the current situation.
In other trade news, Tyson Feist was traded to the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets. The Pats received a fourth round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
This starts to clear up a log jam of 2001-born players on the roster. As of right now, the Pats have 3 forwards and 3 defencemen in that age group.
Thursday’s press conference with John Paddock is available in it’s entirety in the latest podcast from @whlpatscast. Matt and myself also give our thoughts on the trade. It is available anywhere you find podcasts.
