We don’t normally write about junior-league trades on PHT, let alone trades involving the rights to players who aren’t actually playing junior.
But this one’s kinda interesting:
The #WHLHitmen have acquired the rights to G Thatcher Demko from the @chiefshockey in exchange for conditional draft picks.
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 16, 2014
Demko is currently in his second season with Boston College. The 19-year-old was the second goalie selected in the 2014 draft, going 36th overall to Vancouver. He’ll play for the United States at the upcoming World Junior tournament.
Now, this trade doesn’t necessarily mean that Demko is leaving college. But it certainly raises that possibility. Do the Hitmen know something we don’t? Or, are they just rolling the dice on a long shot?
“Major junior is a quicker path to the NHL,” Demko told USCHO last year. “And yeah, it’s quicker. But I saw myself as a late bloomer. I have a lot of developing left to do both physically and mentally. I thought that an extra four years at a great level in the NCAA would really help my game.”