Pats trade for forward, defenceman days before deadline

The Regina Pats have made a trade for forward Jesse Gabrielle and defenceman Jonas Harkins as they gear up for the remainder of the WHL season and the Memorial Cup.

The team announced Friday they made a trade with the Prince George Cougars for Gabrielle, a Boston Bruins prospect, and Harkins.

The Pats are sending prospects Kjell Kjemhus and Ethan McColm, along with third and fifth-round picks in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, the other way.

Gabrielle, who is a 20-year-old player, has been playing in the American Hockey League with the Providence Bruins. The Mosoomin product also returns to his home province.

John Paddock, Pats head coach and general manager, said Gabrielle’s situation is unique because he played with the team in the second half of the 2014-15 season.

“People might wonder why we’re aquiring a player back, but basically he’s a player with his kind of ability to score goals at a reduced price because it’s half the season,” Paddock explained.

Gabrielle has played the previous two seasons with the Cougars, scoring 75 goals and adding 64 assists.

As for Harkins, Paddock said — at only 17 years old — he has room to develop.

“He’s going to be a compliment to our defencemen that we have down the road,” Paddock said.

Harkins was a second-round pick of the Cougars in 2015 and has one assist in 14 games this year.

The WHL trade deadline is Jan. 10.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Jessie Anton