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Oil Barons make pair of trades ahead of roster cut down

Last Updated Nov 28, 2018 at 6:32 pm MDT

Fort McMurray Oil Barons forward Jack Hamly celebrates a goal against the Calgary Canucks. Nov. 10, 2017/Dan Lines Photography

Fort McMurray Oil Barons General Manager and Head Coach Tom Keca was busy Wednesday revamping his roster ahead of the December 1st roster cut down.

The Barons who sit in fourth place in the North Division with a 13-9-5 record made a pair of moves that included five players in total.

The first trade saw 20 year old forward Jack Hamly sent to the Sherwood Park Crusaders in exchange for 19 year old Tyson Scott. Hamly was in his third season with the MOB and had recorded seven goals and 14 points in 24 games this season.

“As a coach, deals like this are always tough to make because it involves trading a player that has spent a considerable amount of time with your organization,” said Keca on Hamly who played 135 games with the MOB scoring 83 points.

The trade was a second straight year the Barons and Crusaders made a one for one deal. Last season the Barons sent Ryan Cox to the Crusaders for Merritt Oszytko.

In Tyson Scott, the Barons acquire a player who can contribute offensively and return next season addressing the club’s need of 1999 born players. Scott has eight goals and 20 points in 27 games with the Crusaders. The Turner Valley, Alberta native recorded 44 points in 56 games last season while with the Drumheller Dragons.

“We think this trade is a win-win for both teams because it allows us to address a team need by bringing in a 1999-born forward in Tyson Scott who has some size and scoring ability,” said Keca. “But it also gives Jack an opportunity to finish his junior hockey career in his hometown on a Crusader team that is very good this year.”

Hamly, a Sherwood Park native joins his third team in his four year AJHL career after playing one season with the Spruce Grove Saints. He joins a Crusader team that sits in second place in the North Division with a 19-6-2 record.

In a separate deal, the Barons acquired defenceman Max Struss and future considerations from the Calgary Canucks for forward Jackson Verstraete and defenceman Sean McCloskey.

The 18 year old Struss was in his second season with the Canucks and in 26 games this season he has recorded two goals and six points. In 45 games as rookie last season with the Canucks, Struss registered six assists.

Verstraete in his second season with the MOB had struggled to produce this season. The 19 year old Calgary native had two goals in 21 games after chipping in 15 points in 51 games as a rookie last season. McCloskey who was acquired in the summer from the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs scored three goals and five points during his brief 22 game stint with the MOB.

“As a coaching staff, we feel this trade allows us to get a bit bigger on the blue line,” said Keca of Struss who is 6’2 and 187lbs. “Max is a young defenceman that competes hard, has some size, and plays a tight checking defensive game.”

The Barons are back in action Friday night when they welcome the Drumheller Dragons to the Casman Centre. On Saturday, the MOB host their annual Teddy Bear Toss game in support of Santas Anonymous with the Spruce Grove Saints in town.