Giants And Warriors Make Blockbuster Deal

Thursday, November 30th — In a blockbuster WHL trade Thursday afternoon, the Vancouver Giants have acquired 19 year-old forward Kenndal McArdle from the Moose Jaw Warriors. In exchange, the Warriors receive 18 year-old forward Jason Reese and a 2nd round pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.
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rMcArdle entered the WHL as the 6th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6’0, 205lbs left-winger from Burnaby, B.C. was selected 20th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1st round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
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rIn 224 regular season games with the Warriors, McArdle has 83 goals and 98 assists. He has also played 37 career playoff games in Moose Jaw, which included an appearance against the Giants in last year’s WHL Championship. He has taken part in the last two summer development camps for Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team and has suited up for Team WHL in the last two Canada-Russia Challenge events. He also participated in the 2005 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Vancouver, where he was Most Valuable Player for Team Davidson.
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r“Kenndal has established himself as one of the premier forwards in the WHL the past few seasons,” says Giants General Manager Scott Bonner. “He will be looked upon to provide our club with plenty of leadership in all aspects of the game. We are very excited to have Kenndal join our organization and we know he will be excited to be play in front of his family and friends at the Pacific Coliseum.”
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r“We feel that this move will give Kenndal the opportunity to have a very successful conclusion to his junior career,” added Warriors General Manager Chad Lang, “and we wish him the best of the luck and thank him for his outstanding contributions to the Moose Jaw Warriors Hockey Club both on and off the ice.”
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rReese is into his 3rd full season in the WHL. Originally taken 7th overall by the Giants in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft, Reese has played 133 regular season games for Vancouver, collecting 64 points along the way. The 5’10”, 177lbs. centre from Gresham, Oregon currently leads all WHL forwards in plus minus (+17).
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rReese will bring additional experience to the Warriors line-up as he was a member of the 2005-06 Vancouver Giants WHL League Championship team and participated in the 2006 Memorial Cup.
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r“Jason has shown great commitment to the Giants organization since we drafted him four years ago,” adds Bonner. “I know the Warriors are happy to have him in their future plans. We wish Jason all the best in his future in Moose Jaw.”
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rMcArdle will be in the Giants line-up when they return to the ice Friday December 1 at home against the Prince George Cougars.
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