By Tim O'Donovan / Kamloops Blazers

Blazers deal Kneen, Smith in separate trades

Nov 26, 2018 | 9:12 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers General Manager Matt Bardsley has announced two separate trades this morning. The Blazers have sent 20-year-old forward Luc Smith to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for 20-year-old forward Jeff Faith, a third round pick and a sixth round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

The Blazers have also sent 19-year-old defenseman Nolan Kneen to the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for 19-year-old defenseman Jackson Caller, a second round pick and a third round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

Kneen has played 215 games with the Kamloops Blazers over the past three and a half seasons. This season he had four goals, 16 assists and 20 points in 21 games.

Smith is in his fifth WHL season and third season with the Blazers after originally being acquired from the Regina Pats in December 2016. In 115 games with the Blazers he had 74 points.

“It’s never easy to trade veteran players but at this time I felt we needed to make a change,” commented General Manager Matt Bardsley. “Jeff Faith will bring a strong presence along with a type of game where it is difficult to play against. Jackson Caller is a steady two way defenseman who provided good offense last year, and with this new opportunity I believe he can achieve the same success.”

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“We appreciate all that Luc and Nolan have done with the organization and wish them nothing but the best in Spokane and Saskatoon respectively,” said Bardsley.

Faith comes to Kamloops after spending the past four seasons in Spokane. The 6’4” and 200lb forward, who came into the WHL as a defenseman, has played 191 WHL games and has 26 points along with 205 penalty minutes.

Caller, who is from Kamloops, has played 145 WHL games with Portland and Saskatoon over the past three seasons. He played his Bantam hockey with the Kamloops Jardine Blazers.