Giants Complete 3 Trades: Acquire 7 Draft Picks, Forward Joe Iginla & Local D-Man Kaleb Hartmann
Published on January 5, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Defenceman Kaleb Hartmann with the Seattle Thunderbirds
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)
LADNER, B.C. - The Vancouver Giants announced today that they have completed three separate trades, acquiring a total of seven draft picks - including two first-round picks - and two players.
From the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Giants have acquired 2007-born defenceman Kaleb Hartmann, a first-round pick in 2026, a first-round pick in 2028, a conditional second-round pick in 2027, a conditional fourth-round pick in 2028 and a fifth-round pick in 2027 in exchange for forward Cameron Schmidt.
From the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Giants have acquired 2008-born forward Joe Iginla and a conditional third-round pick in 2028 in exchange for forward Aaron Obobaifo and a conditional third-round pick in 2029.
From the Swift Current Broncos, the Giants have acquired a second-round pick in 2026 in exchange for defenceman Colton Alain.
"The Vancouver Giants thank Aaron, Cameron and Colton for all their contributions to the Giants since being drafted in 2022," Giants Assistant General Manager Peter Toigo said. "We're very excited to add Joe and Kaleb, and look forward to what they'll bring to our organization."
Iginla was a first-round pick by Edmonton in the 2023 WHL Draft, selected 12th overall. The Lake Country, B.C. product has 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points this season through 37 games, after scoring nine goals and adding seven assists for 16 points in 61 games as a 16-year-old rookie last year. The right-shot forward was listed as a 'C' rated skater by NHL Central Scouting on their preliminary players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft, released in October.
Joe is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla and the younger brother of Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Igina.
Hartmann was a second-round pick by Seattle in the 2022 WHL Draft, selected 37th overall. The 6-foot-1, 200 lb. defenceman has two goals, six points and 54 penalty minutes this season in 33 games. The Langley, B.C. native has played 153 career games over the last two and a half seasons, producing 27 points during that span.
The Giants send a warm welcome to Joe, Kaleb and their families.
The Giants next home game is on Friday, January 9 against Tri-City! Grab your seats at VancouverGiants.com/tickets.
Images from this story
 Forward Joe Iginla with the Edmonton Oil Kings (Katie Harding) |
 Forward Joe Iginla with the Edmonton Oil Kings (Katie Harding) |
 Defenceman Kaleb Hartmann with the Seattle Thunderbirds (Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds) |
 Defenceman Kaleb Hartmann with the Seattle Thunderbirds (Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds) |
Western Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2026
- Sawchyn Named WHL Player of the Week - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Xavier Wendt named WHL Goalie of the Week - Tri-City Americans
- Sawchyn, Kvasnicka, & Wendt Featured in WHL Weekly Awards for Monday, January 5 - WHL
- Giants Acquire Star Forward Mathis Preston from Chiefs - Vancouver Giants
- WHL Mourns Passing of David Branch, Longtime CHL President, OHL Commissioner and Key Builder of Major Junior Hockey - WHL
- Hurricanes Acquire Chenier from Raiders - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Chiefs Acquire Howell, Sparks, First-Round Pick from Vancouver in Exchange for Preston, Conditional Pick in '29 - Spokane Chiefs
- Rebels Trade Milford to Penticton - Red Deer Rebels
- Oil Kings Acquire Obobaifo from Giants for Iginla - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Thunderbirds Add Dallas Stars Prospect Cameron Schmidt - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Broncos Acquire Defenceman Colton Alain from Vancouver - Swift Current Broncos
- Giants Complete 3 Trades: Acquire 7 Draft Picks, Forward Joe Iginla & Local D-Man Kaleb Hartmann - Vancouver Giants
- January 5 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Thunderbirds Acquire Brennen Hocher from Swift Current - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Broncos Acquire Davidson, Armstrong, and Conditional Draft Pick from Seattle - Swift Current Broncos
- T-Birds Edged out in Edmonton - Seattle Thunderbirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
