Calgary, AB -- The 2010 Western Hockey League Trade Deadline has come and gone with a flurry of deals done before the deadline.  Among the most significant was the one completed between Brandon and Moose Jaw that saw 19-year old all star defenceman Travis Hamonic go to the MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Wheat Kings. In return, the Warriors get 17-year old blueliner Dallas Ehrhardt, a first and second round draft choice in this year's WHL Bantam Draft as well as another second round selection in 2011.

2010 WHL Trade Deadline Recap

January 10:
-Edmonton Oil Kings trade F Brett Breitkreuz (20) and F Thomas Vincour (19) to the Vancouver Giants for F Garry Nunn (20), F Mike Piluso (19), F Sebastian Svendsen (18), a 5th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, a 3rd-round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and a conditional 3rd-round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

As the WHL trade deadline looms just a few days, there promises to be a fair amount of action in the coming days if previous years can be used as any sort of measuring stick.  Last season, there were trades in all 6 days leading up to the deadline, so we can probably expect much the same.  The wheeling and dealing of trade deadline week started yesterday with a pair of deals involving a team on the cusp of the playoffs, the Prince Albert Raiders.

First off they acquired 18 yr old goaltender Jamie Tucker from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a 2nd round bantam pick.  Kind of a high price to pay for a goaltender who is only likely to start for the Raiders one full season next year as a 19 year old as he will be playing behind 20 yr old Garrett Zemlak this season.  Tucker could've benefited from a strong nucleolus the Giants have had last season and so far this season.  We'll see how if Tucker was a benefactor of a strong Don Hay coached system or is truly a legit #1 goaltender in the making.