Drumheller, AB: October 9, 2019. The Drumheller Dragons have completed two separate transactions, one with the Spruce Grove Saints and another with the Calgary Canucks announced Kevin Hasselberg Coach/ GM of the Dragons. Traded to the Spruce Grove Saints is the CJHL rights to Brayden Nicholetts in exchange for forward Bruce MacGregor. In the second transaction, the Drumheller Dragons acquired the CJHL rights of goaltender Brett Balas in exchange for forward Hassan Akl.
Bruce MacGregor is in his second season of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 6?2 right shot forward from Sherwood Park has played in 65 AJHL games including 17 in the play-offs last season when the Saints reached the AJHL finals. His career totals so far are 3 goals and 21 assists for 24 points. ?We are excited to add Bruce to our roster.? States Coach Kevin Hasselberg. ?His experience and playing characteristics will fit well with our current group, we expect Bruce to contribute right away.?
Brett Balas is a 2001 born goaltender from Calgary who is currently with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. In 32 games started last season with the Canucks, Balas posted a 5.27 GAA and a .879 save percentage. In 3 starts with the Raiders, Balas posted a 2.96 GAA and a .857 save percentage. Balas played midget AAA with the Calgary NW Flames, also where Dragons Eric Martin and Steven Zonneveld played midget hockey.
Brayden Nicholetts spent 3 seasons with the Dragons and will be remembered for his grit and tenacity. In 131 career games with the Dragons, Nicholetts posted 32 goals, 40 assists, 72 points and 370 minutes in penalties. Nicholetts started this season in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars and will join his home-town Saints for the remainder of the season.
Hassan Akl started his second season in the AJHL with 9 points in his first 9 games played. The speedy left shot forward from Chestermere will join the Canucks after playing in 54 games as a Dragon contributing 25 points and 87 minutes in penalties.
On behalf of the Dragons, we would like to welcome both new additions Bruce MacGregor and Brett Balas to the team. We would also like to express our appreciation to both Brayden, Hassan and their families for all their contributions both on and off the ice and wish them both success with their new teams.
For more information regarding this transaction, please contact:
Head Coach/ GM Kevin Hasselberg