Last Friday, the Yorkton Terriers Junior A Hockey Club officially traded the Welke twins – McKenzie and Carson – to the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Terriers head coach/GM Casey O’Brien said that the move was a request that the players and their family had made.
“They felt they wanted to spread their wings,” said O’Brien.
“It’s hard making a move and having to trade two local guys, but I was able to honour their request,” he added. “I really liked those guys, great family. They played hard - they played the way we wanted them to play.”
The Welke brothers racked up their fair share of points during their two-year reign with the Terriers.
Carson had an overall 25 goals and 36 assists for 61 points in 103 career games with the Terriers.
McKenzie had 31 goals and 37 assists for 68 points in 108 games.
The trade ended up being a three-way deal between the Terriers, the Camrose Kodiaks and the Calgary Canucks - both of the AJHL.
In return for the Welkes, the Terriers got 1999 forward Dalton Ossman from the Calgary Canucks, and 1998 forward Slater Strong from the Camrose Kodiaks. A player development fee was also given to the Calgary Canucks from the Camrose Kodiaks.
“We’re very excited to get Dalton and Slater,” said O’Brien. “Their numbers don’t really speak for the type of players that they are. Our head scout, Garry Carson, has seen them lots over the years. He was very excited for us to get those guys.”
Strong, a Calgary native, had three goals and six assists for nine points in 34 games with the Kodiaks last season.
Ossman, also from Calgary, had seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 41 games last season with the Canucks.
O’Brien said Ossman has a great offensive side, and Strong is a big, strong power forward.
“I think both guys are looking forward to a fresh start here in Yorkton.
These new additions, along with the rest of the Terrier players, will be arriving in Yorkton over the next week. Their golf tournament fundraiser will be held on Aug. 31, and their fall camp begins on Sept. 1.
Players and teams are still being accepted for the upcoming golf tournament, but those remaining spots are dwindling down. Those interested can visit the Terrier office or Deer Park Golf Course.
The club is still looking for billet families to host players for the upcoming season. Billet families will receive two season tickets, as well as $400 per month per player for their cost of living. Anyone who is interested in acting as a host family for a Terrier can contact billet coordinator Pat Holtkamp at 306 782 2875 or 306 621 7525, or visit the website at www.yorktonterriers.com.
