Rockets trade captain after world juniors
Colton Dach has been traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds by the Kelowna Rockets. (Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor)
Kelowna Rockets have acquired 18-year-old forward Ty Hurley, 17-year-old defenceman Ethan Mittelsteadt, a first-round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft (originally Regina’s), a conditional second-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft (originally Everett’s) in exchange for 19-year-old Rockets captain Colton Dach and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Anytime you trade your captain, it’s a very tough decision,” said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. “With Colton being injured and not available to play until likely March 1st, 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.
“We acquire a forward in Hurley and a defenceman in Mittelsteadt that will give us depth for our run to move up the standings. The first-round pick will help us restock our talent pool of young players for the future.”
Hurley has appeared in 31 games this season, splitting his time between the Swift Current Broncos and the Thunderbirds, posting a pair of assists and 20 penalty minutes. The Broncos drafted the Sherwood Park, AB product during the 4th round (No. 84) at the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.
Mittelsteadt was drafted by the T-Birds in the fifth round (No. 95) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He’s appeared in 16 games for Seattle this season, recording two goals and two penalty minutes.
Dach has been limited to 14 games this season due to injury, he’s recorded 17 points (9G, 8A) and 23 penalty minutes.
A second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Dach was dealt to the Rockets in September 2021 from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for Trevor Wong. He most recently competed at the World Juniors for Canada where he sustained an upper-body injury.
The next Rockets home game is Tuesday, January 10 when the Prince George Cougars visit Prospera Place. It will also be a Fan First Menu night with $2 hot dogs and $5-$6 options from Blue Ribbon.