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Hurricanes land former captain’s brother in trade with Ice

Aug 21, 2017 | 10:40 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The Lethbridge Hurricanes have added a familiar name ahead of the start of training camp this week.

The club dealt defenseman Tyler Strath and a conditional fifth round draft pick to the Kootenay Ice in exchange for forward Austin Wong, the younger brother of former captain, Tyler Wong.

The 16-year old – who will turn 17 on Saturday – spent last season with the Okotoks Oilers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, putting up 20 points (10g-10a) and 150 penalty minutes in 53 games. He registered another five points (3g-2a) and 36 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games.

“Austin played Junior-A last year as a 16-year-old in Okotoks and had a good season. Okotoks has done a nice job developing him and we are excited to acquire his rights from Kootenay,” said Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt in a media release. “We think this move helps build the depth to our 2000-born age group. Obviously, there is a history with the family, so we know the pedigree with what we are acquiring in Austin.”

Speaking of that pedigree, Austin will have some big shoes to fill as he joins the organization, just one season after Tyler finished his time in Lethbridge.

Not only did Tyler rank as one of the team’s all-time leading scorers, but he was recognized as the fan favourite for the Hurricanes five years in a row, and was named the Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year for three straight years by the WHL.

Austin was drafted by the Ice in the 11th round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, and followed that with an impressive 75-point season with the AC Avalanche Minor Midget AAA in the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League.

The 5’10, 175-pound forward will be part of the Hurricanes training camp this weekend.