Estevan’s Cole Fonstad has been traded in a blockbuster deal in the Western Hockey League.
Fonstad was shipped from the Prince Albert Raiders to the Everett Silvertips.
Heading the other way in the deal, the Raiders have received 18-year-old forward Reece Vitelli and three selections in the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft: second and fourth-round picks in 2021 and a conditional third-round selection in 2022.
Fonstad, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, won a WHL championship with the Raiders in May.
The Raiders are leading the league’s Eastern Division, while the Silvertips are on top of the U.S. Division.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound forward was originally selected fifth overall by the Raiders at the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. In nine games during the 2019-20 WHL regular season, Fonstad has nine points (two goals and seven assists), including one game-winning goal.
Last season, Fonstad played a key role in the Raiders winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions and capturing the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s regular season champions. He recorded 73 points (29 goals and 44 assists) in 67 games, including five power-play goals and four game-winning goals during the regular season, matching a career-high total in points while setting a new career-high in goals.
In the 2019 WHL playoffs, Fonstad recorded six points (two goals and four assists), including one power-play goal, in 21 games.
He added three points in three games at the Memorial Cup.
“Cole Fonstad is a proven talent who has the tools to make a positive impact with us and fill our immediate needs offensively,” said Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson. “He’s a shifty, prolific forward with a high level of skill and his track record of experience with a WHL title, World Junior Summer Showcase invite and status as a Montreal Canadiens drafted prospect sets an example for a core of our younger players looking to elevate their game.
“We’re looking forward to Cole’s arrival and welcoming him as a part of the Silvertips family.”
