It’s my Parting Shot to salute the Saskatoon Blades and Kamloops Blazers for doing the right thing, honouring a request and doing it with class and integrity…..

If you missed it Monday, Blades’ President and G-M Colin Priestner and Kamloops G-M and head coach Shaun Clouston did what Josh Pillar (pictured) wanted…trading him as close to home as he could get in the W-H-L. The deal was done a few hours before the 4 o’clock trade deadline and allows the 19-year-old Warman product to recover from a private injury situation at home, and still be close to home once he is able to return to action!

The same was done almost 15 years ago to the day, January 10, 2007…on trade deadline day when then Regina Pats’ President and G-M Brent Parker dealt Saskatoon product Derek Hulak to the Blades so he could be home with his gravely ill mother for her final days as she battled cancer.

These type of humanitarian deals require integrity and resisting the urge to take advantage. In the case of Hulak, a 17-year-old W-H-L sophomore at the time, then Saskatoon G-M and head coach Lorne Molleken dealt established 18-year-old forward Michael MacAngus, as well as a third and fifth round pick in the 2007 Draft while also getting a fourth round selection from the Pats…a legitimate hockey trade that wasn’t a fleece job, benefitted both teams, and allowed a young man to be home in the face of a very trying time in his life!

Priestner sent conditional picks to the Blazers, a third rounder this year and a second rounder in 2024…picks based on how many games Pillar ends up playing for Saskatoon, whenever he is cleared to return to action, and whether the Minnesota Wild draft pick plays as a 20-year-old next season. Once again, a legit hockey trade that benefits both teams and satisfies a legit request from a young man in a difficult time.

Once again, a salute to the Blades and the Blazers!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…..