The Portage Terriers were involved in 3 deals yesterday, with the Canadian Junior Hockey League trade deadline at 8 p.m. Jan 10th.

Portage first moved 20-year-old defenceman Jordan Thomson to the Virden Oil Capitals in exchange for 19-year-old defenceman Cole Oliver and future considerations. Thomson hails from Wawanesa, Man., and has played a big role offensively for the Terriers on the back end this season, picking up 23 points in 24 games. Oliver, from Melita, Man., is in his third year in the MJHL. He has four assists in 34 games this season.

"(Oliver's) a guy that we've liked for the last few years," says Terriers Assistant Coach Paul Harland. "He made it tough on our guys the last couple of years in the playoffs when we've faced them. He was always physical playing against the Bowles' twins and was never easy to play against. So that's one of the reasons why we made the trade for him, he gives us an extra year as well."

The Terriers' second move of the day involved a forward, as 18-year-old Calgary native Calvin Bliid, along with future considerations, were sent to Swan Valley for 20-year-old forward Josh Martin and the CJHL playing rights to 19-year-old goalie Lasse Petersen. Bliid's played 18 games for the Terriers this season and has 17 points to show for it. Martin, an Elkhorn, Man. native, has 23 points in 37 games for the Stampeders this season.

"Martin's a guy that will come in and give us leadership up front," says Harland. "He's a physical guy and gritty, and he chips in offensively. I think he'll add that grit to the line-up and with some of the deals we made we have a little more of that physical tangible we were looking for that should serve us well heading into playoffs."

Lasse Petersen's currently with the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL, and played for Denmark in the World Junior Challenge U-20 tournament.

"Petersen will probably stay where he is this season. So if it doesn't work out for him as a 20-year-old he would be able to come to Portage. He's a big goalie we've seen play a few times when we were in Swan Valley, he played in the World Junior's with Denmark, and he's been getting better every year. So maybe in the future, he could be a part of our club and really help our goaltending."

In the final trade, Portage acquired 20 year old defenseman Carter McMurdo from Swan Valley for 15 year old prospect Tanner Morrison. McMurdo is a left shot defenseman from Brandon who has 8 points in 30 games so far this season and 82 penalty minutes. He stands at 6'2" 185lbs and is playing in his third season in the league. Morrison who is also from Brandon plays forward for the Triple A Midget Wheatkings in the MMHL and has 4 goals and no assists in 29 games this season.

Harland says this will help them in their own zone. "He is a veteran guy that has been in the league a few years. We've always liked how he plays, a physical game. When he became available we wanted to add a veteran guy on the back end who plays well in his own end and gives us some leadership back there."

Winnipeg Bound

The Terriers are on the road to face the Blues Wednesday in one of two MJHL games this evening.

The Terriers have won every meeting this season, two in the exhibition season, and two in the regular season. The Dogs won the last meeting 4-1 on December second. 

That game is scheduled for 7:00. You can catch the pre-game show at 6:50 on CFRY and at Portage Online.