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Deadline deal: Kelowna Rockets acquire Kowalyk, draft capital in 3-team trade

The trade happened just before the WHLѻýs trade deadline
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The Kelowna Rockets acquired defenceman Carter Kowalyk in a three-team deal just ahead of the WHLѻýs trade deadline on Wednesday, Jan. 10. (@Kelowna_Rockets/X)

The Kelowna Rockets made one last deal just ahead of the WHLѻýs trade deadline on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

A couple hours before the 2 p.m. Pacific Time deadline, the Rockets announced a three-team trade involving the Edmonton Oil Kings and Saskatoon Blades.

In the deal, the Rockets acquired defenceman Carter Kowalyk from Edmonton as well as three draft picks from Saskatoon - a 2024 second-round pick (originally belonged to Medicine Hat), a 2026 third-round pick (originally belonged to Seattle), and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

ѻýIn all of our deals over the last year and a half we have recouped many of the picks that we moved in preparation for the 2020 Memorial Cup,ѻý said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. ѻýWe had the opportunity to get a big defenceman in Carter, who will bring a little bit of bite to our team.ѻý

Edmonton is bringing back an (almost) hometown kid as they acquired Lac La Biche, ABѻýs Ismail Abougouche from the Rockets in the deal. They also received a second-round pick in 2026 from Saskatoon.

The Blades received veteran defenceman John Babcock from the Rockets in the three-team trade, which wasnѻýt easy for Hamilton.

ѻýItѻýs always difficult to trade a guy thatѻýs been with you as long as John has, heѻýs a special player who has been a real solider for us,ѻý said Hamilton. ѻýSaskatoon is gearing up for a run, so it will be a good opportunity for him. We thank John and Ismail for their time with the Rockets and wish them the best of luck with their new clubs.ѻý

Kowalyk will be joining the Rockets later this week and will be wearing number 5.

The Rockets welcome the Seattle Thunderbirds to Prospera Place on Wednesday night. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

READ MORE: Kelowna Rockets come to Seattleѻýs rescue ahead of Wednesdayѻýs contest

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Jordy Cunningham

About the Author: Jordy Cunningham

Hailing from Ladner, B.C., I have been passionate about sports, especially baseball, since I was young. In 2018, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree
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