In the midst of a six game losing streak, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons have made a blockbuster deal to try and shake up their roster.
The MOB have traded defenceman Ryan Conroy and forward Jonathan Assayag to the Spruce Grove Saints in exchange for defenceman Riley Bodnarchuk and forward Colson Gengenbach.
“It was obviously a difficult decision,” said MOB Head Coach and General Manager Bob Beatty. “Ryan was a popular guy with the organization, the fans and the coaching staff but this will be his last year before he heads to (Yale) University and we felt we’re getting players now that will help us now and in the future.”
Conroy, the centrepiece of the deal was in his third year with the Barons and after representing Team AJHL at the Junior Club World Cup in Russia in August, was named captain of the MOB.
Conroy had scored four goals and nine points through 22 games this season while racking up 82 penalty minutes with his physical style of play.
In 125 career games with the MOB, the 18 year old had seven goals and 48 points with 291 penalty minutes. He is committed to attend and play at Yale University next season.
Assayag was in his first season with the club and through 20 games, the 19 year old Montreal native had five goals and 11 points.
“The quality of players that we were able to get in return certainly played into the decision and we felt the trade would help the organization,” said Beatty.
In Bodnarchuk, the MOB add more size to their already towering blueline. The 18 year old is listed at 6’3 and 175bs. He has two goals and nine points in 19 games with the Saints. The Okotoks, AB native joined the Saints after spending last season with the Calgary Mustangs where he put up two goals and 12 points in 47 games.
“Riley is a big, solid, skilled defenceman that is 18 years old and is a very effective defender with a good skill set,” said Beatty.
Gengenbach is in his third AJHL season. After spending two years with the Camrose Kodiaks, he was traded to the Saints this past summer. An injury in training camp delayed his start to the season but since returning to action, the 19 year old has two goals and six points in 11 games.
In 116 AJHL games, the Edmonton, AB native has 20 goals and 50 points.
“Colson is a player with a good skill set and a great work ethic and he can fit right in and help produce some offence and he’s known as a 200 foot player,” said Beatty.
Both Bodnarchuk and Gengenbach are expected to make their Oil Barons debuts Friday night when the MOB (7-15-1) host the reigning AJHL champion Brooks Bandits (23-1-0) at the Casman Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
