Hurricanes trade Stringer to Pats for 10th overall draft pick
By Dale Woodard on August 19, 2021.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes have stocked the draft pick cupboard for this year’s Western Hockey League bantam draft.
However, a local product is on the move as a result as the Canes announced Wednesday they had acquired the 10th overall selection in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft from the Regina Pats in exchange for 2003-born forward Zack Stringer.
With the deal, the Hurricanes now hold two first round selections – 10th overall and 17th overall – in this years’ draft.
Lethbridge will join the Brandon Wheat Kings, Swift Current Broncos and Edmonton Oil Kings with at least two picks in the first round.
The 18-year-old Stringer was selected by the Hurricanes with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.
He played in 79 career regular season games with the Hurricanes, totaling 17 goals and 52 points.
Stringer added three points – one goal and two assists – in six WHL post-season games in 2019.
During the shortened 2020-21 season, Stringer scored five goals and 14 points in 23 games.
In the 2019-20, Stringer had a career-high 11 goals and 34 points in 48 games.
Stringer was listed 190th among North American skaters heading into this year’s NHL draft, but went undrafted.
“We’d like to thank Zack for his contributions to the Hurricanes organization,” said Hurricanes general manager Peter Anholt in a statement. “He has been a part of our organization since he was 15 and contributed to our club on a night in, night out basis. We wish him all the best in Regina.”
Last season, Stringer pledged to donate $5 for every goal he scored to the Canadian Cancer Society in honour of his late father, Ian Van Seters.
Word of his goal quickly spread on social media with individuals and businesses donating to his cause.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes, Stringer played two seasons with the Lethbridge bantam AAA Val Matteotti Golden Hawks from 2015 to 2017.
In his first season with the Lethbridge midget AAA Hurricanes in 2017-18, Stringer scored 17 goals and 30 points in 23 games to help the Canes to the Alberta Midget Hockey League championship and eventually the bronze medal at the Telus Cup.
In 2018-19 he scored another 14 goals and 41 points in 30 games and also suited up with the WHL’s Hurricanes for eight games, scoring once and adding three assists.
Pats general VP of Hockey Operations and general manager John Paddock said his team was pleased to acquire Stringer.
“We’ve thought highly of him for a long time,” said Paddock in a statement on the Pats website. “With his ability to score goals, he’ll be a welcome addition to our forward group.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Stringer took to Twitter to thank his hometown team.
“I’m so grateful to the @WHLHurricanes and my hometown Lethbridge for all the love and encouragement you’ve given me these past three years. I’m sad to say goodbye but this next challenge has me excited to get to Regina, join the @WHLPats and get to work!”
The 2021 WHL draft will take place Dec. 9.
The Hurricanes open their 2021 training camp Sept. 9 at the Enmax Centre.
The pre-season begins Sept. 17 when the Canes host the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Lethbridge begins the 2021-22 regular season on Oct. 1 against the Calgary Hitmen.
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