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Tim Bozon traded from Kamloops Blazers to Kootenay Ice

Posted on by Andrew Berkshire

The Kamloops Blazers have announced that they’ve traded Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon to the Kootenay Ice.

Bozon is the main piece in the deal it seems, as the 4-9-0-0 Blazers look to build for coming seasons instead of this one.

Press Release:

Cranbrook, BC – Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the Club has acquired 19-year-old Forward Tim Bozon and 19-year-old Defenseman Landon Cross from the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for 17-year-old Forward Collin Shirley, 18-year-old Defenseman Matt Thomas along with a third round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft and a first and fifth round selection in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.

“With as competitive as the Eastern Conference is and with goals being so hard to come by this was an opportunity to add one of the WHL’s premier goal scorers to our line-up. We are also adding a top four defenseman that will help solidify and give more depth to our blueline group. To acquire a top six forward and a top four defenseman unfortunately you have to give up a lot and we feel we have given up two quality individuals in Collin and Matt along with some very high draft picks. We wish both players all the best with the Blazers,” added Chynoweth.

Tim Bozon is in his third season in the WHL after being selected in the 2011 CHL Import Draft (1st round – 27th overall). Bozon, whose Dad (Philippe) played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues (1991-1995) was a third round draft pick (64th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Landon Cross is also in his third season with the Blazers after being selected in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft (3rd round – 54th overall). Both players are expected to arrive in time for practice on Wednesday, October 23.

The ICE are now carrying 24 players, including two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards.

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Kamloops, BC – Kamloops Blazers General Manager Craig Bonner announced this morning that the Blazers have sent 19-year-old import forward Tim Bozon and 19-year-old defenseman Landon Cross to the Kootenay Ice in exchange for 17-year-old forward Collin Shirley, 18-year-old defenseman Matt Thomas, first and fifth round WHL Bantam Draft picks in 2015 and a third round WHL Bantam Draft pick in 2014.

Shirley (Pictured) has entered his second season in the WHL after scoring nine goals and finishing with 23 points last season as a 16-year-old. The 6’2″, 181lb forward was originally a first round pick of the Ice in 2011. The Saskatoon native played for Team West at the U-17 World Challenge in Quebec last year and was also recently invited to Canada’s U-18 summer camp. In 11 games this season, Shirley has two goals and an assist.

Thomas was listed by the Ice prior to the start of last season and suited up for 66 games as a rookie last year. The 6’3″, 192lb defenseman from Calgary has played in 11 games this season recording one assist.

“Collin has the potential to be a very good player for our club now and in the future. We look forward to him developing with our young core,” commented General Manager, Craig Bonner. “Matt is a steady defenseman. We think he will fit in well with the age groups we have on defence.

In acquiring a first round pick in 2015 and a third round pick in 2014, the Blazers recoup draft picks that were traded to acquire defenseman Joel Edmundson last season and Tyson Ness this season.

“We’d like thank Tim and Landon for their contributions to the Blazers and wish them the best of luck in their futures,” commented Bonner.

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