Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Blazers, Raiders make deal

From The Daily News of Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 . . .

There . . . that takes care of that.
The Kamloops Blazers sorted out their goaltending and 20-year-old situations Tuesday by trading Dustin Butler to the Prince Albert Raiders.
For Butler, who holds the franchise record for most shutouts in one season, the Blazers received a sixth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft.
According to the Raiders, the pick is conditional — the Blazers will get it if Butler is on Prince Albert’s roster on Nov. 1.
Butler was acquired from the Portland Winter Hawks in October and provided stellar goaltending until he, like the Blazers, faded down the stretch. Still, he set a single-season franchise record with seven shutouts and finished with 33 victories.
“It’s something that had to happen,” Butler said of the trade. “It’s disappointing and frustrating, but I’m also happy.
“It would have been nice to finish my WHL career here. I was looking forward to it. I loved playing here.”
Butler’s ability had nothing to do with his departure. Rather, the native of High River, Alta., got caught up in the 20-year-old numbers game.
WHL teams are allowed to keep a maximum of three 20-year-olds and the Blazers have chosen to go with centre Brock Nixon and defencemen Ryan Bender and Ryan White.
It pretty much was a given that Bender and Nixon would be here, as both players are entering their fifth seasons with the Blazers. Therefore, it would come down to keeping Butler or White.
White, who joined the Blazers from the AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons during the 2005-06 season, was terrific last season and was perhaps even better in the recently completed exhibition season.
Butler’s days here were numbered since the eve of training camp when the Blazers acquired Justin Leclerc, 18, from the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Leclerc’s arrival combined with White’s play meant the end of Butler’s days here.
“At the time,” Butler said, “I thought the trade just brought us depth in goaltending. I didn’t expect (a trade) right off the top.
“But the last couple of weeks . . . it started to wear on me. Not knowing what was going to happen . . .”
Butler hopes to get to Prince Albert in time to practise with his new teammates Thursday.
Clark admitted that “it’s a buyer’s market,” which is why he got only a sixth-round draft pick for a goaltender who won 33 games last season.
At least two other teams are trying to move 20-year-old goaltenders, with the Everett Silvertips looking for a spot for David Reekie and the Moose Jaw Warriors looking to deal Kurt Jory while keeping Joey Perricone, also 20.
The trading of Butler means Leclerc will start Friday when the Blazers open the season against the visiting Chilliwack Bruins.
“Leclerc played well enough and I think he is ready to assume the No. 1 position,” said Clark.
He added that he’s looking for Leclerc to start “between 45 and 50 games,” with backup James Priestner, a 16-year-old freshman from Edmonton, getting as many as 25 starts.
In Prince Albert, Butler becomes one of four 20-year-olds on the Raiders’ roster, the others being defencemen John Flatters, Jeff May and Mike Gauthier.
The Raiders are scheduled to visit Kamloops on Dec. 7; the Blazers play in Prince Albert on Feb. 29.

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