KENNEWICK, WA – Tri-CityAmericans’ Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today the team has acquired the rights to 20-year-old forward Steven Hodges (6’0, 190) and a conditional 4th round pick in 2016 from the Victoria Royals in exchange for a conditional 2nd round pick in 2016.
Hodges has played four seasons in the WHL, including three seasons with the Royals. He was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the third round (84th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
This summer, Hodges signed an entry level contract with the Panthers and is expected to begin his pro career with the Panthers.
“There is always a possibility of 20-year-olds returning to major junior. This trade gives us some options if Florida decides to send Steven back to the WHL, and costs us nothing if he does not return to the WHL,” Tory said.
Hodges has played 247 games in his WHL career, accumulating 75 goals, 157 points and 238 penalty minutes. He has played in 22 playoff games, scoring six goals, 20 points and 15 penalty minutes.
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ROYALS ACQUIRE CONDITIONAL DRAFT PICK IN TRADE WITH AMERICANS---------------------------------------------------------------------
Victoria trades overage forward Steven Hodges to Tri-City.
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 15, 2014
Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals today announced that the club has acquired a
conditional draft pick from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for the rights
to overage forward Steven Hodges (1994) and a conditional draft pick.
The move leaves Victoria with the maximum allowable
three 20-year-old players on its roster. Hodges, who was signed to an entry
level NHL contract earlier this summer by the Florida Panthers, is eligible to
play in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. In his four-year WHL
career, Hodges ranks as the seventh-leading scorer in franchise history with
157 points (75g-82) in 247 games.
“We would like to thank Steven for being a large part
of our franchise and its history over the past four years,” Royals’ General
Manager Cameron Hope said. “With the number and quality of overage players on
our roster, difficult decisions have to be made and this move puts Steven in a
position to succeed should he return to the Western Hockey League. We wish
Steven all the best as his career moves forward.”
The
6-0, 187 lb centre was selected ninth overall in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft and
is the all-time leader in franchise playoff production with 20 points (6g-14a)
in 22 games. Hodges also holds the distinction of scoring the first goal in
Victoria Royals team history on September 23rd, 2011.
Hodges
was selected by Florida with the club’s third round, 84th overall,
pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. Last season, Hodges picked up 47 points (21g-26a)
in 52 regular season games for the Royals before going on to lead the team with
10 points (4g-6a) in the post-season.
Season ticket packages for the 2014-15 season are on
sale now! Call 250-220-7889, visit www.victoriaroyals.com,
or head down to the Victoria Royals ticketing office at Save-On-Foods Memorial
Centre for more information.
