By Vernon Matters Staff

Rockets acquire TBirds captain

Dec 6, 2019 | 4:18 PM

Kelowna Rockets have made a move to boost their leadership and scoring as they continue to build for hosting the Memorial Cup next spring.

President and general manager Bruce Hamilton has announced two trades.

In the first deal, the Rockets acquired 20-year-old forward Matthew Wedman from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for the Rockets first-round pick in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft, second-round pick at the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft, and Kelowna’s fifth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

In the second deal, Kelowna dealt 20-year-old forward Leif Mattson to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

“We feel that we’ve really strengthened our hockey club with Matthew Wedman and Jadon Joseph down the middle,” said Hamilton. “We’ve been pursuing Wedman for six weeks, it’s been a long grind of negotiations and we knew it was going to cost picks. He’s going to elevate our team in leadership and scoring. He’s the captain of the Thunderbirds, he brings leadership and a big physical presence. He scored 40 goals last season, we’re looking for him to add some offence to our team and help him pursue his career to become a pro player.

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Hamilton says anytime you make a move with over-agers, someone else has to leave.

“Leif has been a great player for us, he competed hard and is a solid person. We’ve made a move that I think will be good for him, he’ll fit in well in Spokane. I think if there’s a place to go, this is a great place, he’s going to slot right into their top-six. We want to thank Leif for everything he has done for the Rockets and wish him well in the future.”

The Florida Panthers drafted Wedman during the seventh round (No. 199) at the 2019 NHL Draft in June.

The 6’3, 209-pound centreman has appeared in 19 games for the T-Birds this season, posting 17 points (6G, 11A) and 41 penalty minutes.

He has suited up for 275 WHL regular-season games over the last five seasons, collecting 175 points (75G, 100A) and 286 penalty minutes. Last season he set career highs across the board racking up 40 goals and 37 assists in 66 games, earning a spot on the WHL’s Western Conference Second All-Star Team.

Wedman was a member of the Thunderbirds 2017 WHL Championship team.

The Edmonton product was drafted 38th overall by Seattle during the second round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

Mattson was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2016. He played 203 regular-season games for the Rockets, collecting 155 points (61G, 94A).

Wedman is expected to join the Rockets in Prince Albert Friday.

by Vernon Matters Staff

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