Chiefs’ Rivals Make Trades For Stretch
Two Western Hockey League contenders acquired players this week in hopes of mounting stronger stretch runs in the tightly bunched West Division.
The Tri-City Americans picked up right wing Mike Dubinsky Wednesday from the Brandon Wheat Kings for center Dorian Anneck and a second-round pick in the 1997 bantam draft.
The Kamloops Blazers on Thursday added former Spokane Chief Dean Kletzel, a 19-year-old center who played 55 games here during the ‘92-93 season.
The Blazers, who got Kletzel for future considerations, have the highest-scoring line in junior hockey in Hnat Domenichelli, Jarome Iginla and Bob Maudie, but depth at forward is a problem.
Kletzel has been out with a knee injury but hopes to be ready in a week to 10 days, a Blazers spokesman said.
Reaction to Tri-City’s move is wait-and-see.
Americans director of hockey operations Bob Brown may have stolen a player in Dubinsky, a fourth-round choice of the Vancouver Canucks in 1994. Strong and skilled, Dubinsky is scheduled to play on a first line with Daymond Langkow and Terry Ryan.
That’s if he can stay healthy. That’s the downside. A shoulder injury has limited Dubinsky’s season to 13 games. A groin injury limited him to 20 games in ‘93-94 and four games last year.
“He’s very close to being ready to play right now,” said Brown, a noted trader who built the dynasty in Kamloops.
Anneck, in 24 games with the Americans, had eight goals and 13 assists.
“For Dorian Anneck to get a contract in the NHL, he has to play to his strength ,which is center ice,” Brown said. “He wasn’t able to do that here. It’s no secret we needed a right winger for Langkow and Ryan. Dubinsky played with Daymond through minor hockey. They know each other real well, which is a bonus.”
With the Jan. 25 trade deadline less than two weeks away, Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said “There’s lots of talk, not much action.
“We’re not looking for a support guy. We don’t need a 12th forward. We’re always looking to improve but you have to weigh the cost.”
Elsewhere, the Prince Albert Raiders traded for 20-year-old goaltender Rod Branch. Prince Albert sent netminder Craig Hordal, defenseman Ryan Bast and futures to Calgary for Branch.
, DataTimes