Kelowna Rockets Trade Injured Captain To Seattle For 1st Round Pick

Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach has been dealt to the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The trade was announced this morning, Jan 7. In exchange, the Rockets received a first round draft pick in the 2024 WHL draft, 18-year-old forward Ty Hurly, 17-year-old defensemen Ethan Mittelsteadt, as well as a second and fourth round pick.

Along with Dach, the Rockets also gave up a fifth round pick.

“Anytime you trade your captain, it’s a very tough decision,” Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said in a media release.

“With Colton being injured and not available to play until likely March 1, we felt that it was in the best interests of our team and Colton to make this trade. We want to congratulate Colton on his World Junior gold medal and thank him for his time with the Rockets, we wish him all the best moving forward.”

Dach was injured last week while playing in the World Junior Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In the WHL, he has 17 points in 14 games this season. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks 62nd overall in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Thank you, captain. pic.twitter.com/BnXWN3v00t

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 7, 2023

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