The 2018 GWMHL Rookie Draft wasn’t just a chance for teams to stock the cupboards with young talent — it also sparked a series of trades, including several blockbusters.
The action began before the draft with the official completion of a slew of moves involving 2019 picks that were pending league approval.
The Baltimore Crab acquired superstar Sidney Crosby from Great Lakes for Jonathan Drouin, its first and second round picks in 2018 and a 3rd in 2019. More on this blockbuster to come.
Not to be outdone, the Delta Sturgeon continued their drive for a Gump Cup with a pair of impact moves. First, the Sturgeon acquired Jonathan Toews from Vancouver for a first in 2019, a third in 2018, and forward Denis Malgin. Toews’ defensive acumen and faceoff ability add a dimension that the skilled Sturgeon sorely lacked. Then, the Sturgeon sent a 2nd in 2019 to Boston for towering veteran defender Zdeno Chara. Though both players’ heydays are probably now long past, they’re the kinds of players with whom you win playoff series.
Just ahead of the draft, Adirondack and Boston swapped veterans, with goalie Cam Ward headed to the Banshees in exchange for winger Justin Williams.
Later, Boston made another move, reacquiring Micheal Ferland from the South Side Renegades for centre Artem Anisimov, Delta’s 2nd in 2019, and its own 4th in 2019.
And finally, some pick-for-pick trades: Delta flipped a 3rd in 2019 for Parry Sound’s 3rd and 4th in 2018, Ice Harbor dealt a 4th in this draft for a 4th next year, and Denver traded its 2019 4th rounder for West Virginia’s 2018 4th.
Gump Worsley Memorial Hockey League 