[News] Brandon Hickey's WHL Rights Traded To Red Deer

[Freeway]

http://www.reddeerrebels.com/article...brandon-hickey

These kinds of deals happen all the time, and the Rebels are hosting the Memorial Cup in May, so it seems like a low-risk investment.

All indications are that Hickey will be going back to Boston University, though.

Via Tri-City's press release:

Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today the team has traded the WHL Player Rights for Brandon Hickey to the Red Deer Rebels for a fifth round WHL Bantam Draft Pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and two conditional WHL Bantam Draft Picks.

[Enoch Root]

Is it just me, or is that link not working?

[bax]

Hickey is from Leduc isn't he? Pretty close to Red Deer....

[Ashasx]

BU is going to be a good team this year. Unless he's leaving for the AHL, I think the NCAA is a good place for him.

[hockey.modern]

He shouldn't be playing any WHL game. He'll finish his years with BU then head to the AHL

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

He shouldn't be playing any WHL game. He'll finish his years with BU then head to the AHL

I don't think Hickey will graduate from the NCAA. If he continues his progression from last season, I can almost guarantee he'll turn pro after next season.

Agreed he shouldn't be going to the WHL though. Playing on a stacked BU team will be a great learning experience for him.

[JohnnyT]

Isn't BU losing a lot of their top players this offseason? Rebels probably want to try to entice him with the a strong team and a mem cup appearance

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by JohnnyT

Isn't BU losing a lot of their top players this offseason? Rebels probably want to try to entice him with the a strong team and a mem cup appearance

They still have a pretty strong team in terms of NHL prospects.

JOHNATHAN MACLEOD (TB 2nd Round Pick)
MAXIM LETUNOV (STL 2nd Round Pick) edit: think BU lost him and is now going to UConn
JORDAN GREENWAY (MIN 2nd Round Pick)
JAKOB FORSBACKA KARLSSON (BOS 2nd Round Pick)
A.J. GREER(COL 2nd Round Pick)
MATT GRZELCYK (BOS 3rd Round Pick)
BRANDON HICKEY (CGY 3rd Round Pick)
DANNY O'REGAN (SJ 5th Round Pick)
ROBBIE BAILLARGEON (OTT 5th Round Pick)
CHARLIE MCAVOY #24 Ranked by FC in 2016 Draft
AHTI OKSANEN (one of the top college free agents)

Major loss of Eichel and O'Connor but should be able to compensate

[Freeway]

Who does BU have in goal this year?

[sureLoss]

Also don't think it was a coincidence Brent Sutter was in Calgary watching Hickey play last night.

I am sure they had a long conversation.

[Coach]

Would rather he stay in the NCAA. My preferred path anyways.

[Enoch Root]

I wouldn't have a problem with him jumping to the WHL under the right circumstances.

The quality of play isn't that different from the NCAA. There's more games. And at least we could watch him play.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Who does BU have in goal this year?

Connor LaCouvee http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=84730
Max Prawdzik http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=212577


Sean Maguire (4th round pick of the Penguins) took a leave of absence for medical reasons from BU last year. He attended Penguins development camp a few weeks ago, but it is unclear if he is returning to BU or not.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=48896

edit: apparently the doctors cleared Maguire to play so he will be playing for the Terriers.

[Fire]

It wouldn't matter much either way for me but if the plan for him is to go pro after next season then obviously his education isn't too important to him. Having him experience the Memorial Cup would be a great experience for him.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I wouldn't have a problem with him jumping to the WHL under the right circumstances.

The quality of play isn't that different from the NCAA. There's more games. And at least we could watch him play.

The only thing is I like to see some stability in prospects. One year in BU, one year in the WHL then the next season in the AHL. Adding in his time in the AJHL that would be 4 different teams in 4 different leagues in 4 years.

Maybe not an issue at all though.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The only thing is I like to see some stability in prospects. One year in BU, one year in the WHL then the next season in the AHL. Adding in his time in the AJHL that would be 4 different teams in 4 different leagues in 4 years.

Maybe not an issue at all though.

Could just as easily be a benefit as a drawback. You never know. A change of scenery can be a good thing. Different coaches and different experiences can be a good thing.

Or they could mess him up.

[squirtle]

He's developing well in the NCAA I personally don't see why he should go to the WHL.

[Weitz]

Anyone have any quick insight on whether Red Deer will be good this year?

My hometown and maybe I can convince my dad to get some Tickets to the memorial cup and I'll drive up to go with him

[getbak]

Tweeted by the man himself less than an hour ago: https://twitter.com/BHickey14/status/629014693500194817

Brandon Hickey ‏@BHickey14

Playing hockey again is making me so excited to get back to BU #goterriers hi @mcarm_

[Enoch Root]

well that settles that then