The Saskatoon Blades and Medicine Hat Tigers have come to terms on a major trade ahead of the Western Hockey League’s trade deadline.
The Tigers will receive Nashville Predators first-round draft pick Tanner Molendyk and 2005-born forward Misha Volotovskii. In return, Medicine Hat is sending a pair of 17-year-olds in forward Hayden Harsanyi, defenceman Jack Kachkowski, and five WHL Prospects Draft picks.
Saskatoon General Manager Colin Priestner says this transaction has changed the franchise's trajectory.
“Not only did Tanner give us some of the best seasons ever played by a Blades defender, but he also almost single-handedly gives us an entire WHL Draft worth of picks back to build our future around, as well as two outstanding 17-year-old players.”
Molendyk, from McBride, BC, has played 210 games with the Blades, scoring 26 goals and 108 assists for 134 points.
Molendyk, a former fifth-overall WHL draft pick, was selected by the Nashville Predators in the first round (24th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Molendyk will head straight to Medicine Hat after most recently serving as an alternate captain with Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Priestner says he is excited to see Harsanyi and Kachkowski in Blades jerseys.
"There was simply no way we would have traded Tanner without Hayden and Jack in the deal, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have them. Hayden (Harsanyi) has all the tools and the mindset to be an elite WHL scorer.”
Priestner also holds Kachkowski in high regard.
"Jack was a top ten talent in his bantam draft class, but his commitment to NCAA pushed his draft position to later in the day,"
Priestner is hopeful both will be available to play in Red Deer on Tuesday night.
