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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Winter Hawks Add Goaltender

October 13, 2004 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Portland Winter Hawks added 20-year-old goaltender Blake Grenier (GRENN-yay) from the Swift Current Broncos and released 18-year-old defenseman Christian Hankins today.

The Hawks gave up a 6th round pick in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft in exchange for Grenier. Portland now has four overage players as Robin Big Snake, dropped from the Hawks' roster yesterday, is still the Hawks' property. General Manager Ken Hodge has until tomorrow, Thursday October 14, to trade Big Snake to another team in the WHL before he would have to release him. All WHL teams have to be down to a maximum of three 20-year-olds by tomorrow's deadline. Big Snake also has the option of pursuing options in minor league professional hockey.

The Hawks will try to find a team, perhaps in tier two, where Hankins can play to further develop. The Hawks gave Hankins a fairly long look, more than a week-long tryout, including several shifts in Sunday's game against Lethbridge before making the decision to release him. That indicates he was at least close to making the team. But, the Hawks have four other rookie defensemen on the roster that they are hoping to develop this season.

Regarding the goaltending, Hodge says the Hawks will be on the three goalie routine for awhile with 18-year-old Kevin Opsahl (OPP-sull) and 17-year-old Dustin Butler.

"We had a chance to add maturity and experience between the pipes and the situation with Robin allowed us to make this move," Hodge said.

"We have heard good things about Blake, on and off the ice," said Portland Coach Mike Williamson. "He will give us more depth and experience in goal, but we are also hoping he will help our young goalies improve."

With all of the roster moves, the Hawks now have 24 players (7 defensemen, not including Alex Aldred who plays forward and defense), 14 forwards and 3 goalies.

Grenier, 5'10', is in his fourth season in the WHL. Last season, he split time between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Swift Current Broncos, compiling a 2.52 average and 91.7% save percentage. In 96 career WHL games, Grenier has posted a 2.60 average and 91.3% save percentage. This season, with the Broncos, Grenier had only played 2 games, stopping 64 of 71 shots for a 3.53 average and 90.1% save percentage.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 13, 2004


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