It’s not known when Josh Pillar (pictured) will be able to suit up, but the 19-year-old forward, who calls Warman home, is now a member of the Saskatoon Blades.
The Bridge City Bunch acquired Pillar from Kamloops ahead of the W-H-L trade deadline Monday afternoon. In exchange, the Blazers receive a pair of conditional draft picks…a second round choice in 2024 and a third round selection in 2023. Pillar is currently recovering from a private medical situation. The Minnesota N-H-L Draft pick has 11 goals amongst 31 points in 29 games, but hasn’t played with Kamloops since December 29. The Bridge City Bunch made one other move as German forward Moritz Elias has returned home to play in that country’s second division men’s league. The Blue and Gold’s next action is a Friday home date with Medicine Hat. Following is the news release from the Blue and Gold, as well as some comments from Blades’ President and G-M Colin Priestner…..
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SASKATOON, SK —The Saskatoon Blades announced on Monday the
acquisition of 2002-born forward Josh Pillar from the Kamloops Blazers in
exchange for a conditional 2024 second-round pick, and a conditional 2022 thirdround pick in the WHL Prospects Draft.
Pillar, a product of Warman, SK, is a prospect of the Minnesota Wild, having been
selected in the fourth-round, 127th overall, in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
“Firstly, we would like to thank Kamloops for working together to make this
happen for the Pillar family,” stated Blades general manager & president Colin
Priestner. “Josh is currently recovering from a private medical situation, and both
teams, in conjunction with Josh’s family, felt the best place for Josh’s recovery
would be in his hometown.
“Josh is one of the best players in the WHL and while it’s certainly very exciting
for us to add him, our primary focus at this time is getting Josh healthy and back
on the ice at some point this season. We kindly ask that everyone give Josh and his
family privacy at this time and when we have a clearer timetable on his return to
the ice, we will certainly make it known. We are hopeful it will be in the near
future.”
“This is a dream come true for me to play for the team I grew up cheering for,”
said Pillar. “I’m so thankful for the Blazers and the Blades for making this possible
for me, and I’m excited to throw on my hometown colours and return to the ice
soon. Our family thanks everyone for respecting our wishes for privacy at this time
and I look forward to meeting my new teammates and staff in the near future.”
The 2002-born right-winger was selected by Kamloops in the first-round, 14th
overall, in 2017, and has piled up 126 points (43G-83A) in 184 career games. This
season, the 6-foot-0, 179-pound forward is averaging more than a point-per-game
with 31 points (11G-20A) in 29 outings.
“When he’s back, we expect Josh to be among the top scorers in the WHL over
this year and next,” continued Priestner. “He brings size, speed and an incredible
talent level to our young group. We know Josh is very excited to play for his
hometown team and help us in our push for a home ice playoff position.”
The Saskatoon Blades would like to warmly welcome the Pillar Family into the
organization, and look forward to helping him live out his dream of playing in the
NHL.
