Medicine Hat, AB - Medicine Hat Tigers' general manager/head coach Willie Desjardins announced today the Tigers have dealt 20-year-old forward Matt MacKay to the Vancouver Giants.
MacKay will be entering his third season in the WHL after spending the first two seasons in Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. He appeared in 68 games for the Tigers last season, collecting 52 points on 23 goals and 29 assists.
The Tigers will receive a fourth round pick in the 2011 Bantam Draft in exchange for MacKay.
"Matt was a big part of team last year coming in from Moose Jaw, putting up 52 points and did a great job for us," stated Desjardins.
"When we looked at our 20-year-old situation coming into the new season, there is obviously an abundance of players who will not return to our line up this year due to numbers," said Desjardins.
"We felt is was best for Matt and our organization to give him the opportunity in Vancouver so he could get on with his plans for the summer and give him the best opportunity for a good year next season".
"I would like to thank Matt and his family for his time with our organization and we wish him the best luck with his future hockey endeavors. He was a well liked player on our team," concluded Desjardins.
http://www.tigershockey.com/media/media.php?stype=browsei&season=2010&month=Jun&lim1=0
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I think this is a pretty fair deal. Usually 20 year old's go for 5th round picks, and the Tigers got a 4th. I could see Mackay fitting in pretty nicely in Vancouver. He has a skill set which is a little above average at the whl level. He was Overshadowed a little by other players, perhaps even a little underrated at times, but I think he sometimes had confidence issues. I think he has the potential to reach a .85 PPG pace with the Giants given he plays on the first 2 lines.
That leaves:
Thomas Carr
Jace Coyle (very strong case for returning)
Wacey Hamilton (A Lock barring pro contract)
Joey Frazer
Taylor Gal
Zdenek Okal- ( Probably Not coming back)
Tristan King ( Contract with Dallas unlikely of returning)
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Vancouver Article on the trade
"I want to step into a role where I'm counted on, where I'm needed game in and game out," said MacKay.
He shows that, and Don Hay will love him. The Giants coach forever talks about wanting players who want to be difference makers.
3 comments:
hard to pick 3d 20 year old.
gal has the most skill.
Frazer has the most heart, came on stronger at the end,
Carr,less skill, lots of try, We may be weakest on defence.
I agree. Couldn't have said it better.
Every-time I try and choose 3 I switch between Carr, and Gal, but wonder how Frazer will develop over the summer.
Very hard decisions.
Tigers should make a trade...see who's out there...might be a "Cameron" in the rough!...loots of 20's in the mix...
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