It’s been a day of mixed emotions for the Prince Albert Raiders as they welcomed back a familiar face and said farewell to another.
Just hours after Zack Hayes returned to the team after attending training camps for the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, the Raiders traded fellow overage blueliner Max Martin to the Kamloops Blazers for a second round pick and a sixth round pick in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
“Today was a tough day trading a champion and a great Raider in Max Martin,” Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said in a statement. “When we started building here, Max was the first acquisition. He earned the title of champion during his time here. Kamloops is a good team and plays a fast game, which I think fits Max’s style of play.
“We thank Max for everything he did on and off the ice here and we wish him nothing but the best going forward.”
After being acquired from the Prince George Cougars in November 2016 as part of a blockbuster trade that saw Brendan Guhle head west, Martin had 98 points in 185 games for the Raiders.
The Winnipeg, Man. product had eight assists in 21 playoff games last season during the Raiders’ run to their second WHL title and also dished out two helpers at the Memorial Cup in Halifax.
Martin, who has yet to record a point in four games this year, is the second overager that the Blazers have acquired since the start of the 2019-20 campaign as they landed forward Ryan Hughes from the Saskatoon Blades last week.
“We are excited to add Max to the Blazers organization,” Blazers general manager Matt Bardsley said in a statement.
“He is an offensive minded defenseman, who can also play a sound defensive game. His hockey sense and puck skills are excellent and his game will add to a solid group of defenseman that we have here in Kamloops.”
Martin is expected to suit up for his new team on Saturday against the Everett Silvertips in Kamloops.
The Blazers now have four 20-year-olds on their roster and have to part ways with one of Martin, Hughes, Zane Franklin and Kobe Mohr by Thursday, Oct. 10.
Meanwhile, the Raiders now have three overagers on their roster as a result of the deal.
In addition to the returning Hayes, who is slated to play in Friday’s home contest against the Blades, the team also has blueliner Jeremy Masella and forward Brayden Watts in the lineup.
