Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Van Olm to Spokane

Blazers trade veteran forward Van Olm to Chiefs for player and two picks

Jan 10, 2024 | 4:54 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers completed their second trade in as many days Tuesday (Jan. 9) night, this time parting ways with their second-leading scorer.

The Blazers announced they’ve traded 2004-born forward Shea Van Olm to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for 2006-born forward Cole Wadsworth, third-round Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft pick in 2025 and a second-round pick in 2026. The second-round pick originally belonged to the Tri-City Americans.

Van Olm was acquired by the Blazers in October 2022. In 89 games with the Blazers over two WHL seasons, Van Olm scored 48 points (17 goals and 31 assists), including 29 points (11 goals and 18 assists) in 38 games in 2023-24.

Coming back to Kamloops is Wadsworth, who scored six points (four goals and two assists) in 20 games in his second season with the Chiefs.

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The Van Olm trade comes one day after the Blazers sent Kamloops local and leading scorer Dylan Sydor to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Prior to that, the Blazers traded former captain Fraser Minten to the Saskatoon Blades.

Ahead of the WHL trade deadline on Wednesday (Jan. 10), the Blazers sit at the bottom of the overall WHL standings with a 9-24-3-2 record, good for 23 points in 38 games.

The Blazers return to action Friday, Jan. 12 when they welcome the Everett Silvertips to Sandman Centre. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.