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The Regina Pats got a jump on Friday’s WHL trade deadline, sending No. 1 goaltender Max Paddock to the Prince Albert Raiders on Thursday.
“We’re in the midst of — maybe even in the earlier than middle stage — of a rebuild,” Pats general manager John Paddock said during a media conference at the Brandt Centre. “(Max Paddock) was the player that could bring us the most assets.”
In exchange, Regina received 17-year-old forward Jakob Brook, a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional third-round pick in 2022 based on whether Paddock returns to the WHL for his 20-year-old season.
John Paddock said the addition of Brook was important to the deal.
“It was very important for us to get a (2002)-born player as sort of a bridge from where we are at with some numbers and the (2001-born) group to our (2004-born) group that we liked last year,” Paddock said.
There was an added dimension to the trade due to the fact John Paddock is Max Paddock’s uncle. The veteran GM said family ties didn’t affect the decision.
“It’s the way it has to be,” the elder Paddock said. “That doesn’t mean that I don’t have feelings for him and it’s a little different with family. I actually texted my four daughters and said, ‘I traded Max but your inheritance is still in place.’ ”
It was the second trade in a matter of hours by the Pats, who late Wednesday sent defenceman Tyson Feist to the Kelowna Rockets for a fourth-round pick in the 2020 WHL bantam draft.
The Pats selected Max Paddock in the 10th round (212th overall) of the 2015 draft. This season, the 19-year-old product of Brandon had played in 29 games for the Pats, posting a 10-13-3-2 record with a 3.31 goals-against average.
He had a 44-49-5-5 record and a 3.27 goals-against average in 114 career regular-season games with Regina.
John Paddock said his nephew was happy with the news and the opportunity to go to the Raiders, who are sitting in second place in the East Division.
“People saw how he played as a 17-year-old in the Memorial Cup and I think that’s his goal again — to play at the biggest moment,” said John Paddock, whose team played host to the CHL championship tournament in 2018.
The Pats will rely on Donovan Buskey and Danton Belluk between the pipes the rest of the way unless a trade is made. Due to an injury to Belluk, Matthew Kieper will be called up for a week.
Brook was drafted in the second round (40th overall) of the 2017 bantam draft. The product of Roblin, Man., has put up nine goals and recorded 21 assists in 99 career WHL games.
Brook also played in 23 playoff games last season as Prince Albert won the WHL championship.
“(Brook’s) a big, fast, strong winger who has some upside,” Paddock said.
This season, Brook has appeared in 38 games, recording three goals and six assists.
Brook has a cartilage tear in one of his knees but Paddock said that wasn’t a concern for the Pats. Brook is expected to undergo surgery shortly and should join the team later this season.
While the Pats have traded a player who has arguably been their best this season, their GM still expects the team to go out and win games this year.
“Our young players are going to continue to take a step and we’ve had some good leadership and some key moments from other players so we expect to win some hockey games,” Paddock said.