Neepawa makes pair of trades

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Published on Thursday, November 3, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

There will be some new names on the backs of Neepawa Natives’ jerseys this weekend, as the club has made a pair of trades. The team has dealt 18-year-old forward Nathan Hillis to the Selkirk Steelers in exchange for 19-year-old goaltender Evan Robert and the MJHL list rights for 17-year-old defensemen Troy Earl. In a separate deal, Neepawa also acquired 18-year-old forward Braeden Binda from the Winkler Flyers in exchange for future considerations.

In 15 games with Neepawa during the regular season, Hillis had accumulated 11 points (five goals - six assists) and 61 penalty minutes.  Robert, who hails from Oakdale, is 1-0 this season with a .962 save percentage.  Last year, he started 17 games for Selkirk. Earl, meanwhile, is from Winnipeg and is currently playing in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League. In 11 games this season with the Winnipeg Wild, he has contributed nine points (one goal - eight assists)

Neepawa general manager Myles Cathcart said the need for the trade was related to a recent injury to goaltender Tyler Gutenberg, which will likely keep him out of the lineup for several weeks. 

“Robert is an experienced goaltender which will help the team after the injury to Gutenberg.  Evan is a big goaltender, moves very well and covers a lot of net, noted Cathcart. “Earl is a skilled defensemen and we are very familiar with him as he has been at many of our camps in the past and looks to suit up with the team next season” 

As for the other transaction, Braeden Binda, who hails from Steinbach, was a top player on the Eastman Selects last season scoring 20 goals and 41 points.  He has one assist in six games this season for Winkler. Cathcart believes that Binda will improve Neepawa’s depth.

“[Binda] has the ability to play in the top nine on a regular basis.  He is a strong player, plays an honest game of hockey and leads by example.  We have watched him for a number of years and are happy he has joined our organization,” said Cathcart.

Both players are expected to be in the line-up on Friday, Nov. 4, when Neepawa plays the Portage Terriers at the Yellowhead Centre

As for any other potential changes to the roster, Cathcart did not cite any specifics, but did note that the team is always looking to improve, so every option that’s presented to them will be explored