The Vees are adding strength and experience to their forward line with the addition of a Western Hockey League veteran.
The team is swapping forward Ty Barnstable for CJHL playing rights to Taylor Sanheim from the Portage Terriers in a trade deal announced Monday.
“Taylor is a hard-nosed, physical player, who brings plenty of experience with him and we feel those elements will help solidify our forward group as we gear up for what hopefully will be a long playoff run,” said Fred Harbinson, president, general manager and head coach.
Sanheim, 20, spent parts of the last three seasons in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, tallying 12 goals and 51 points in 132 career regular season games, along with 168 penalty minutes. He also played in another 22 playoff games with the Hitmen, and helped them into the WHL 2015 finals.
In 18 games with Calgary this season, the Elkhorn, Manitoba product had a pair of goals and seven points, along with 34 penalty minutes.
Before landing in the WHL, Sanheim played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, splitting his time between Portage and the Dauphin Kings. In 53 games he had 15 goals and 28 points in the 2013-14 season.
To make room for Sanheim on the roster, the Vees put 20-year-old defenceman Gabe Bast on a Junior B card, as he will affiliate with the Surrey Knights of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League. Bast has been limited to just six games this season due to upper and lower-body injuries.
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Harbinson says trading a player of Barnstable’s quality wasn’t easy. He was acquired by the Vees in June 2016.
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“Ty had done everything we asked of him and he was a very popular teammate during his time here, and that speaks to his character and maturity. He’s going to an excellent program in Portage and we wish him all the best with the Terriers.”
In 34 games with the Vees Barnstable had four goals and nine points, to go along with 10 penalty minutes. The Regina native played with his hometown Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League last season. In 43 games, Barnstable had 22 goals and 53 points and was named that league's MVP and top forward.