The Prince George Cougars have added another 20-year-old veteran to their roster with the addition of 2002-born forward Chase Wheatcroft, picked up Friday in a trade with the Winnipeg ICE.
The Cougars sent a fourth-round pick in the 2023 WHL draft to Winnipeg to acquire the rights to the Calgary native.
Wheatcroft started this past season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and played 22 games for the ’Canes, scoring four goals and 14 assists, before he was traded to Winnipeg. He went on to play 33 games for the WHL East Division champions and had 12 goals and eight assists. He also played 15 playoff games for Winnipeg, picking up a goal and five assists.
“He is a veteran player that brings a lot of experience from his time in Lethbridge and Winnipeg, including making the Eastern Conference final this season,” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb.
“That will be a big asset for our young core. Chase is a skilled forward that we feel he can be a key piece up front for next season.”
Wheatcroft started his junior career in the AJHL with the Calgary Canucks and will bring three seasons of WHL experience, with 31 goals and 51 assists in 137 career regular season games.
Wheatcroft, who turned 20 on May 28, is the second overage forward added to the Cougars’ roster over the last month, following the addition of 20-year-old forward Nolan Boyko in a trade from the Saskatoon Blades. Wheatcroft and Boyko were teammates in Lethbridge for parts of three seasons.
