The on-ice season in the WHL still hasn’t started yet but the off-ice season is in full swing. The Seattle Thunderbirds and Edmonton Oil Kings completed a trade on Monday, swapping import players.
The Oil Kings acquired defenseman Simon Kubicek from the Thunderbirds as well as a conditional pick in the 2023 WHL Draft, in exchange for forward Vladimir Alistrov and a conditional pick in the 2023 WHL Draft.
“Kubicek is a solid two way defenseman who has the potential to be play in a top six grouping,” said NZ scouts. “He makes quick decisions with the puck and is generally well prepared before he receives the puck. He walks the offensive blue line with confidence and has an excellent shot from the point. He shows the physical tools to be a shut down defenseman in professional hockey who excels in penalty killing situations.”
Kubicek, 19, appeared in 52 games last season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, posting 27 points (7G, 20A) and 54 penalty minutes. He has played 14 games on loan in the Czech professional leagues this season, scoring one goal and one assist in five games with Motor Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Extraliga, as well as one goal and three assists in nine games with HC Stadion Litomerice in the second division.
Alistrov, from Mogilev, Belarus, had 19 goals and 16 assists for 35 points in 57 games last season with the Oil Kings. He represented his country at the 2020 U20 Division 1 Group A World Championship in Minsk, Belarus. Alistrov had a goal and three assists in five games as Belarus won the bronze medal.
