Spokane trades Lukacevic
Just off the high of an extended National Hockey League training camp trip, Ned Lukacevic experienced the opposite end of the emotional spectrum on Tuesday.
Lukacevic, the exciting left winger of the Spokane Chiefs, learned he had been traded to the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for 19-year-old defenseman David Schulz.
Lukacevic was returning Monday from the main camp of the Los Angeles Kings when a friend on the Broncos’ team called his cell phone – telling him he may have been traded. The news was confirmed by Spokane general manger Tim Speltz upon Lukacevic’s return.
“It’s definitely something that’s a little upsetting, but at the same time I’m very excited to go to Swift Current …” said Lukacevic, 19, who tied for third on the team in scoring last season with 46 points. “It’s going to be a good change and a fresh start for me.”
Lukacevic had been with the Chiefs since 2002 and has been a regular on the team for the past two seasons. He became a fan favorite with his breakaway speed and superb skating, skills which have led him to become a prospect with the Kings.
Lukacevic’s goal is to earn a pro contract next fall and he tried to focus on that.
“I think things are looking up right now; I got a lot of positive feedback coming back from L.A. and I think it’s up to me right now,” he said. “Everything’s in my hands, and I think if I just have a good season – hopefully the chips fall into place.”
In Schulz, the Chiefs get a big defenseman (6-foot-3, 201 pounds) whom Speltz said is a good skater and able to handle the puck, lead the breakout and participate on the power play. He is a former first-round bantam draft pick (17th overall, 2001) and was an eighth-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2004.
The Chiefs have been thin on the blue line since last season and needed to add depth – especially if veteran Gustav Engman doesn’t return.
He is in camp with the Canucks as a free agent and may get offered a contract.
“We wanted to round out our ‘D’ – we’re very, very comfortable with our D now – and I think we’ve got a real good pecking order with our guys,” said Speltz. “Once David gets here, we’ve got eight guys but I’m very comfortable that every one of those guys has something that they can contribute. For me, I think he blends well with the other guys.”
So, Lukacevic said goodbye to players such as Jeff Lynch, with whom he’s played since the start.
“He’s a great player; a great competitor, so it’s hard to see a guy like that go, but hopefully the player we get in return will match that talent,” said Lynch.
For its part, Swift Current got the man it wanted.
“We are very excited to have Ned join our club,” said Broncos head coach/GM Dean Chynoweth. “Ned is a guy who puts points on the board and is one of the most dynamic skaters in the league. We are excited to have a player of his caliber on board.”
Spokane fans won’t get a chance to say goodbye to Lukacevic, as the teams meet just once this season – on Dec. 4 at Swift Current.
“It’s going to be a fun game – and you know I’ll be bringing my “A” game; that’s for sure,” he said with a wry smile.