The Neepawa Natives have sent Brennan Ritchie to Selkirk, as a completion of the deal that brought Wes Pawluk to Neepawa in December.

 

Ritchie, a native of Ste. Anne, MB, played a positive role in the success of The Natives this season - playing both forward and defence in his rookie season.

 

The Natives were required to return future considerations to the Steelers, as reciprocity for Wes Pawluk.

 

Pawluk was The Natives' leading scorer this season.

 

Natives' coach Bryant Perrier says that the club appreciates Ritchie's contribution to the Neepawa organization.

 

"Brennan is a very good person and player who will have a good career in this league and beyond."

 

"It is never easy to make trades, but the Wes Pawluk deal was important for our team this year. It's a heavy price, but Brennan will do well, and our organization took a big step this year because of the trades we made."

 

Perrier says the deals that brought Pawkuk, Caleb Suderman (from Winkler), Ed Friesen and Matt Krahn (from Portage) to Neepawa were crucial to the organization.

 

"When guys of this calibre come in and succeed, it makes a big statement about where we are heading as a team,"said the coach. "Without the deals we made for veteran players, we would have had a very long winter. This deal completes any compensation we owe."

 

In adjoining news, The Natives sent 15 year old Matthew Hughesman, a player on their protected player list, to the Steelers for future considerations.

 

 

After the completion of the CJAHL season, The Natives will be receiving a player to complete the Riley Currie deal and will also be negotiating further compensation for the Eli Halcrow deal. Currie went to Abitibi of the NOJHL and Halcrow went to Fort William of the SIJHL. Both deals will be announced through the summer.