WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Blanchette odd man out

Published on October 25, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - For the second time in less than two weeks the Brandon Wheat Kings have dealt an overage defenceman.

The latest to go is 20-year old Camrose, Alberta product Andre Blanchette, who has been dealt to the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a sixth round draft choice in the 2005 Western Hockey League bantam draft.

A former eighth round draft choice (139th overall) by Brandon in the '99 bantam draft, Andre is in his fourth WHL season, having played a total of 178 games in a Wheat Kings' uniform. Last year's McDonalds Frank King Most Community Minded Player Trophy winner, Blanchette had two assists and 12 penalty minutes in eight games this season.

During his WHL career, Blanchette has eight goals and 42 points while accumulating 315 penalty minutes in 178 games. The Cougars had an overage spot available after releasing former Wheat King blueliner Josh Garbutt over the weekend.

Today's decision leaves the Wheat Kings with the league limit of three 20-year olds - defenceman Steven Later, captain Tim Konsorada and Lance Monych, who was reassigned to Brandon last week by the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes.

Earlier this month, Brandon sent overage defenceman Tyler Boldt to Saskatoon in exchange for a fifth round bantam pick and a switch of picks in the 2005 Canadian Hockey League Import draft.

In another move, the hockey club has announced that 16-year old right-winger Morgan MacLean will not make the trip out west and will be reassigned this week. A former member of the Fort Saskatchewan AAA midgets, the 6' 160 lb. Grande Prairie, Alberta product had played in one game for the Wheat Kings this season.

The Wheat Kings hit the highway this afternoon with twenty-four players on board including two goalkeepers, seven defencemen and fifteen forwards.

Brandon opens up its longest road trip of the season - a seven-gamer - Wednesday night against the Cougars in Prince George.

The Wheat Kings return home to face off against the Everett Silvertips on Thursday, November 11th.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2004


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