PR - Wheat Kings

MALIGNED WHEAT KINGS MAKE DEAL FOR D-MAN

A day after learning that Jimmie Howard would be out for at least a week, the Kings announced to the media that they had completed a deal with the Bonnyville Pontiacs.

Leaving Saskatoon are Boris Valabik and Ryan O'Marra, arriving are Braydon Coburn and Devin Setogucchi.

"We excited to be adding a defenceman of Braydon's calibre," Coach-GM Tyler Young said, "I think everyone can agree that our defence hasn't been up to it's typical standards. Getting a guy like Coburn just gives us a little bit more talent back there. We gave up two good young players, especially O'Marra, who's looking like an excellent young forward. But with Bergfors, Hennessy, Forsberg and Mueller, we just had too many natural centers and there really wasn't room for O'Marra on the top two lines."

The Wheat Kings had been looking for a deal for nearly a month now and many Wheat-watchers have mave been expecting something bigger, possibly including captain Josh Hennessy, intended to shake the Kings out of their mediocre play this season.

"If I wasn't also owner of this team, I'd probably already be fired." Mr. Young joked. "We're on track to our third sub-500 season in four years, and that is just unacceptable. Yes we had something of a young team, but we're getting older now, we should be taking steps forward - and the truth of the matter is that we aren't. Statswise we are on a pace comparable to last season."

"The good news is that the season is only half-way over and we're still in a position to compete for the playoffs. The problem is that the West is tougher than ever this season - any more slips and we'll be hard pressed to get to the post-season."

18 YEAR OLD GOALIE FLOURISHING

After Howard went down, Mr Young announced that Antoine Lafleur, the team's 18 year old goaltending prospect, would be the go-to guy for next week or so as Howard recovered. In his first game Lafleur was sacked by the Achaeans with five goals. But in his second against the Mustangs he responded with a shut-out and then won his third against the high-flying Spirit.

"I was very shakey that first game, for sure," Lafleur said, "but knowing that I was in going to play the next nigjt, it just gave me a lot of confidence, and I focused on trying to get myself ready for that."

When drafted some scouts had compared him to a young Pascal Leclaire, but after a horrible start earlier this season against the Flames and then his poor play in the minors over the last month, the Kings had nearly written him off. Rumours were that he was nearly dealt at least on two occasions.

"We'll see, it's likely too early to get a definite idea about him yet," Mr. Young said, "but right now it's looking pretty lucky that we didn't trade him this season."

Notes&Rumours: The Wheat Kings are rumoured to be floating their captain, Josh Hennessy, on the market. Hennessy though has picked up his play of late... Mike Frolik, recalled from a conditioning stint in the minors after a terrible start to the season, was injured today and will likely miss 2-3 weeks... the Wheat Kings picked-up Dan Hinote off waivers Tuesday...