Josh Thrower is trading in the red and black of the Calgary Hitmen for the red, white and blue of the Tri-City Americans.
Thrower was dealt to the Kennewick, Wash.-based team in exchange for forward Connor Rankin on Thursday (Jan. 8), one day before the Western Hockey League's (WHL) trade deadline.
"Would like to thank the Hitmen for the opportunity to be a part of the organization for a great year and a half," Thrower tweeted after the trade was announced. "Really grateful for the opportunity to join the Americans organization. Looking forward to a fresh start."
Thrower played a total of 73 games over three seasons with the Hitmen, scoring 11 points and recording 91 penalty minutes. He also appeared in seven playoff games for Calgary last year.
The 麻豆社国产Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) product joins a Tri-City team that sits in the eighth and final playoff spot in the WHL's Western Conference. The Americans have a record of 20 wins, 20 losses, two overtime losses and two shootout losses in 44 games this season.
"Josh is an elite 1996-aged player, who will help anchor our blueline for the next three years," Americans general manager Bob Tory stated on the Americans website. "We are pleased to welcome Josh to our program."
Tri-City will not make any more trips to Vancouver this season but Josh's brother Dalton Thrower and the Vancouver Giants will visit the Toyota Center in Kennewick on Jan. 19.
Thrower and the Americans next hit the ice against arch-rival Seattle on Friday (Jan. 17). For more information on the team, visit www.amshockey.com.
