The Weyburn Red Wings announced a pair of roster changes earlier in the week, first signing former Cougars goaltender Dazza Mitchell to a player agreement and later trading forward Connor McGrath to the Humboldt Broncos.
Mitchell, 17, played for the Cougars U16 Prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League during the 2019-20 season and put together an impressive campaign, seeing action in 19 games and recording a 2.75 goals against average to go along with .931 save percentage -- the highest in the U16 Prep division.
The Regina native suited up for his hometown Pat Canadians in the hyper-abbreviated 2020-21 Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League campaign, playing three games and posting a 2.00 GAA, .912 save percentage and recording one shutout.
For McGrath, the trade moves the 17-year-old forward closer to his hometown of Leroy and comes after suiting up for the Red Wings last season, where he scored a single goal in four games before the pandemic brought the season to halt.
McGrath played for the PHA U16 Prep squad 2018-19 season and was fifth in team scoring with seven goals and 35 points in 32 games. He was among the crew of PHA standouts who signed on with the Moose Jaw AAA Warriors the following season, and would go on to lead the SMAAAHL finalists in scoring with 23 goals and 49 points in 44 games.
The trade to Humboldt included forward Kyle Bailey and was for a player development fee.
The Red Wings open their 2021-22 SJHL season on Sept. 24 against the Melville Millionaires, the Broncos are in action the same night when they travel to Notre Dame.
