Shortly after the Western Hockey League’s Christmas break player movement freeze expired on Friday, Saskatoon and Calgary swung a deal, sending 19-year-old veteran forward Lukas Hansen to the Hitmen in exchange for 15-year-old forward Adam Halat.
Hansen has spent the last four seasons in Saskatoon, playing in 168 regular-season games, scoring 22 goals, adding 21 assists, and racking up 70 penalty minutes.
In exchange, the Blades receive 2009-born forward Adam Halat, who was drafted by the Hitmen in the fourth round (72nd overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
Halat is the leading scorer in the Alberta Elite Hockey U18 AAA League (AEHL) as a member of the Okotoks Oilers. The left-handed shot is averaging just under a goal per game as a 15-year-old rookie, with 20 goals and 40 points in 23 games. His play has caught the attention of Blades director of scouting Dan Tencer.
“Adam is a dynamically skilled and highly intelligent forward that can change the game with his ability to create offence.”
The Blades now have the rights to the top two point-per-game players in U18 AAA with Halat and 2008-born winger Kohen Lodge, who is currently playing with the Blades.
Saskatoon is back on the ice Friday night when they host Moose Jaw at 7 p.m. at SaskTel Centre.
