The Steinbach Pistons have pulled off a huge trade with the Winnipeg Blues, as both teams have exchanged 10 players and Future Considerations.
The Pistons have acquired F Ty Naaykens (’01), F Codey Behun (’00), D Dylan Cassie (’99), and Future Considerations from the Blues in exchange for the MJHL Rights to F Logan Danis (’02), F Brayden Clark (’01), D Carter Bateman (’02), D Connor Tyhy (’01), D Austen McIvor (’01), F Aeden Loschiavo (’02), D Tayem Gislason (’03) and Future Considerations.
“Obviously this is a huge trade, and one that both teams should benefit from,” Head Coach/GM Paul Dyck said of the blockbuster. “We are very excited to add three really good players that bring experience to our lineup.”
All played well in the six-game series against Steinbach in the first round of the 2019 MJHL Playoffs. Behun notched two goals and five assists, Naaykens had one goal and three assists, while Cassie played shutdown defence and added two assists in the series.
The 18-year-old Naaykens established himself as an offensive threat during his rookie season, finishing third on the Blues last year in scoring with 40 points (15 G, 25 A) in 55 games played. In his final year of midget hockey in 2017-18 with the Winnipeg AAA Bruins, he scored 26 goals and 31 assists in 38 games. “Ty is a big winger who really broke through last year, and has a lot of upside to his game,” Dyck said of Naaykens. “We really liked him in our series with the Blues.”
Behun, 18, was right behind Naaykens as he played the full 60-game season a year ago and put up 39 points (19 G, 20 A) in his second junior season. He is a durable forward that played 59 games in 2017-18, and represented the MJHL in the 2019 MJHL/SJHL Showcase this past February in Regina. “Codey plays with a lot of pace, and fills a need for us at centre,” Dyck said of Behun. “He had a strong playoff against us, so we saw how impactful he can be in key moments.”
Cassie is heading into his 20-year-old season this year, and was the highest scoring defenceman for the Blues in 2018-19, as he totalled 30 points (7 G, 23 A) in 57 games played a year ago. Dyck coached Cassie at the MJHL/SJHL Showcase in Regina as well. “Dylan is entering his fourth year and brings veteran leadership and offence from the back end,” Dyck commented on Cassie. “He has very good mobility and will play key minutes for us.”
Danis and Clark both got into games with the Pistons as APs in 2018-19, and the remaining five prospects sent to Winnipeg have not seen the ice yet in the MJHL. “Whenever you acquire players of this caliber it requires giving up assets, which we did,” the Pistons coach explained. “We will miss the guys moving onto the Blues, and wish them all the best in their careers.”
The Pistons would like to welcome Ty, Codey, Dylan, and their families to the Pistons organization!