By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Hurricanes acquire Zablocki from Red Deer in exchange for Tarzwell, draft picks

Dec 9, 2017 | 4:31 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The Lethbridge Hurricanes announced on Friday following their game against the Edmonton Oil Kings that they have acquired 19-year-old forward Lane Zablocki from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for 17-year-old forward Josh Tarzwell, a second round draft pick in the 2019 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft and a conditional third round pick in 2020.

Zablocki was originally drafted by the Prince George Cougars in the fifth round in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

The product of Wetaskiwin, Alberta was selected in the third round, 79th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

So far this season, Zablocki has suited up in 31 games for the Rebels collecting 19 points (9g-10a) along with 47 penalty minutes.

Last year, he split time with the Rebels and Regina Pats skating in 64 games in total registering 54 points (28g-26a) along with 97 penalty minutes and a plus-13 rating. He added another eight points (6g-2a) and 20 penalty minutes in the first round playoff match-up against the Hurricanes.

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Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt says the injury to forward Ryan Vandervlis pushed this on a little bit further.

“We saw what Zablocki could do in the playoffs against us in the playoffs with his experience. He’s a quality player and I think any time you have a chance to add that kind of quality, you have to give it a look,” Anholt continued. “It’s hard to give up Tarzwell because he’s been a soldier here, and he was one of the first guys to sign since I’ve been here who’s continued to get better and better.”

Tarzwell, 17, was selected by the Hurricanes in the second round (24th overall) in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. So far this season, the Red Deer native has collected 14 points (3g-11a) along with 17 penalty minutes in 28 games. In 66 career games with the ‘Canes, he scored 19 points (5g-14a) with 29 penalty minutes.

“We felt by adding a guy like Zablocki, the way he plays, how hard he plays, how hard he competes and his ability to score big goals is one of the things that jumps out at you,” Anholt added.

Zablocki will join the Hurricanes for their four game East Division road trip beginning Tuesday in Saskatoon.