The Winkler Flyers have made a trade with the Portage Terriers just days before the start of the regular season. The Flyers have added F Ian Mackey (96) and D Garrett Kuklica (98) in exchange for prospects F Dylan Burton (99) and G Zachary Bennett (00).
Mackey is a 6’3″, 180lbs forward from Tower Lakes, Illinois who put up eight points (1 goal – 7 assists) and 51 penalty minutes in 44 games played with the Terriers last season.
“He’s a big body winger that will add size to our forward group and adds some winning experience to our dressing room as well,” said Head Coach and GM Ken Pearson.
Kuklica played last season with the Winnipeg Thrashers of the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League and recorded 27 points (4 goals – 23 assists) and 81 penalty minutes on the Thrashers blueline. The Winnipeg native stands 6’1″ tall and weighs 205lbs.
“Good puck moving guy who will complement our top six. He’s a left handed defenseman who will add some youth and depth to our group,” added Pearson.
The Flyers would like to welcome Ian, Garrett and their families to the Flyers organization and look forward to seeing them on the ice.
The club will announce their opening day roster in the coming days as they get set to open up the 2016-2017 Manitoba Junior Hockey League Regular Season against Neepawa. The regular season opener will take place in Neepawa on Friday, September 23rd with the two teams playing in Winkler on Saturday, September 24th in the Flyers home opener.