Tigers Acquire Ryan Harrison

The Medicine Hat Tigers announced today the acquisition of 18-year-old forward Ryan Harrison from the Prince Albert Raiders.

The Raiders will receive prospects defenseman Austin Bourhis, who will turn 18 on July 31st, 17-year-old forward Todd Fiddler and future considerations.

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Edit
Tigers website says Future Considerations. P.A says 2012 4th round pick. Kinda strange

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Harrison, a 5’ 10”, 185 lbs center from Kelowna, BC, placed fifth in team scoring for Prince Albert as a 17-year-old last season. He scored 14 goals and added 40 assists for 54 points while collecting 136 penalty minutes.

“We like what Ryan will add to our 1992 born group of players,” said Tigers’ general manager Brad McEwen. “He will fit in very nicely with the likes of Emerson Etem, Linden Vey and Kale Kessy on our forward lines.”

Fiddler, from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, led the Saskatchewan Major Midget Hockey League in scoring this past season with 44 goals and 49 assists for 93 points in 40 games for the Beardy’s Blackhawks, winning the league scoring title by 19 points and was named league MVP. He also had 2 goals and 6 assists in 6 playoff games, picking up at least one point in all but 4 of the Blackhawks 46 games he played in during the 2009-10 season. Fiddler also competed for Team West at the World Under 17 Challenge in Timmins, Ontario picking up 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 games during the 2010 tournament. Fiddler was the Tigers 3rd round selection, 65th overall in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft and appeared in 1 regular season game for the Tigers.

Bourhis, from Kipling, Saskatchewan, played for the Yorkton Terriers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League this past season collecting 7 goals, 14 assists and 139 minutes in penalties for the Terriers. Bourhis was 6th in the SJHL in penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Tigers from the Edmonton Oil Kings last season, also appearing in 1 WHL game in 2009-10.

“Todd Fiddler’s skill set is of exceptional quality,” says Bruno Campese, Raider Head Coach and General Manager. “His skating ability, hockey sense, playmaking skills and scoring ability will make him an offensive threat.”

“Austin Bourhis is a hard-nosed competitor that is tough to play against and will add some toughness to our lineup,” according to Campese. “The Raiders would like to thank Ryan for his contributions over the past two seasons and wish him well in the future.”

http://www.whl.ca/tigers-acquire-ryan-harrison-from-raiders-p143421

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Scouting Reports
Ryan Harrison is 5'10 185 lbs who put up 54 pts in 72 games as a 17 year old. It was rumored that he wanted out of P.A. Michael Remmerde an NHL scout has this to say about him.

"Gritty little guy oozes leadership and does whatever it takes to win. But his size and skill combination is underwhelming. One of those guys who you want to succeed. Decent speed and so-so offensive ability, but I hoped he'd put the puck in the net a lot more. Even if he doesn't make an impact in the NHL, he's the sort of player who can be a leader on your AHL squad. Worth a middle round pick."

http://nhldraftnotes.blogspot.com/2010/06/prince-albert-2010-eligibles.html

Others describe him as a horse who plays a physical game. He had 8 fights as a 16 year old, and 6 as a 17 year old so he is not afraid of mixing it up. Sounds a lot like a bretton cameron type of player.

Todd Fiddler is a highly touted prospect who led the Saskatchewan Major Midget Hockey League in scoring last year. He may become a pretty good offensive weapon. Austin Bourhis will be 18 next season, a bit of a late bloomer. From what I hear he is a hard nosed type of defensman.


Thoughts
I am a bit neutral on this trade. What I understand Harrison wanted out of P.A and the Tigers gave up a key prospect to get him. I think Harrison will be a very good addition but I think the Tigers potentially gave up too much for him if that future considerations is indeed a 2012 4th round pick. We will have to wait and see what kind of game he can bring to the Tigers.

I am wondering what type of impact Fiddler could make at the whl level, and what kind of impact Bourhis can make. It is possible the Tigers loose long term in this deal, that being said it is also possible for the Tigers end up with a steal if Fiddler and Bourhis dont make much of an impact. The Tigers get a proven player while P.A get 2 unproven players and a pick at the whl level.

Harrison is still pretty young at 18. The Tigers will be able to get 2 years, possibly 3 out of him, and he has put some some pretty good numbers. Fiddler is a year younger at 17 but perhaps he has more offensive potential?? but unproven at the whl level. Bourhis is a hard nosed, perhaps a bit of a late bloomer.

This deal give the tigers more depth and scoring at forward. If Etem and Hamilton both come back, the Tigers look to have a very talented top 2-3 lines. This trade is a bold move by the new gm.