Good-bye Libor Zabransky! Welcome Matej Toman!!
That was the net result of two trades by the Saskatoon Blades, involving players from the Czech Republic, on Wednesday. First, Zabransky was dealt to Moose Jaw for a seventh round pick in the 2020 W-H-L Bantam Draft. Then, Toman was acquired from Prince George for a sixth round choice in 2021.
Toman is an 18-year-old centre, in his second season in the league. and has three goals amongst six points in 16 games. He could suit up for the Blue and Gold this weekend. Zabransky is a 19-year-old defenceman who was acquired by the Bridge City Bunch in the 2019 C-H-L Import Draft. He had one goal amongst six points in 16 games.
Saskatoon is home to Red Deer Friday and Brandon Saturday at SaskTel Centre. Following are the news releases from the Blades…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades have acquired ’01 Euro Import forward Matej Toman from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a 6th round selection in the 2021 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
“Matej is a versatile forward who has experience playing all three forward positions,” said Blades’ General Manager Colin Priestner. “He has won over 56% of his face-offs this year and we feel he adds depth to our forward group. He was a high euro draft pick last year and has a strong international resume in addition to the WHL experience he gained in Prince George.”
Hailing from Czech Republic, Toman was selected 5th overall by the Cougars at the 2018 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. Prior to being drafted by Prince George Toman, now 18-years-old, played for his hometown team HC Ceske Budejovice at the Under-18, Under-20 level and with the men’s team in the Czech Third Division.
For the 2017-18 season, Toman had 15 points (3G-12A) in 11 regular season games and added another 13 points (6A-7G) in seven playoff games, helping lead HC Ceske Budjovice to an Under-18 championship. Toman added 14 points (8G-6A) in 25 games with the Under-20 team before tallying three points (2G-1A) in 15 games with the men’s team.
Internationally, Toman won Bronze with Czech Republic at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, leading the Czech team in scoring with three goals in six games. He also represented the Czechs at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
Since joining the Western Hockey League last season, Toman has recorded 26 points (12G-14A) in 82 games played. So far this season he has 6 points (3G-3A) through 16 games with the Cougars. Additionally, Toman represented the Czech Republic at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship in Sweden, scoring one goal in five games played.
Toman fills the open import spot on the roster which was opened earlier today following a trade that saw Saskatoon move Czech blueliner Libor Zabransky to the Moose Jaw Warriors. Toman is expected to join the Blades in Saskatoon immediately and could play as early as this weekend.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades have acquired the Moose Jaw Warriors’ 7th round pick at the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft in exchange for 2000-born import defenseman Libor Zabransky.
Zabransky, from Czech Republic, was drafted by the Blades at the 2019 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft 55th overall. In 16 games with Saskatoon this season he recorded 6 points (1G-5A) while accumulating 14 penalty minutes. Zabransky previously played two season with the Kelowna Rockets.
The Blades organization thank Libor Zabransky for his contributions during his time in Saskatoon and wish him well in Moose Jaw.
