VIRDEN, MB- This morning, Head Coach and General Manager Tyson Ramsey announced a trade that sent 20-year-old forward Tanner Andrew to the Winkler Flyers in exchange for Virden native Grady Lane (2003), Brandon product Calder Anderson (2002) and a 2021 second-round pick in the MJHL Bantam Draft.
Andrew, who earlier this summer requested a trade, played in 47 contests a year ago in an Oil Capitals uniform, scoring 25 goals to go along with 30 assists, and finished second in team scoring. Andrew was set to begin the year at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on a hockey scholarship but has had that delayed a year due to the COVID pandemic.
“When Tanner found out that he would not attend RIT until the fall of 2021, he came to me and requested to be traded as he wanted to spend his 20 year old season away from home. We agreed to work with him on that and after speaking with many teams, were able to get a deal done with the Flyers.”, said GM and Head Coach Tyson Ramsey. “We thank Tanner for his contribution while he was an Oil Cap and wish him well in Winkler.”
Grady Lane, the centerpiece coming back in this trade with the Flyers, brings grit, toughness and character to the Oil Caps roster. A year ago, with the Flyers, he scored four goals and chipped in with 21 points to go along with 126 penalty minutes. Lane, a local product, played his U15 and U18 hockey in Southwest with the Cougars. In 2 years at the AAA U15 level, he tallied 42 points in 35 games and in his lone year of AAA U18 in Southwest, he had 12 points in 32 games. He was drafted in the eighth round (156th overall) by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and got into one game last season. Lane also competed for Team Manitoba in the 2019 Canada Winter Games where he was chosen as an assistant captain. With all the uncertainty with when the WHL will hit the ice, Lane’s homecoming is a feel-good story for him and for the Oil Capitals.
“We are very very excited to have added a player like Grady to our organization. Not only is he a local guy but he is also a great player who brings so many things to our team.”, stated Ramsey. “His work ethic and character are second to none and he has the ability to make an impact in any type of game. We certainly understand that he has an opportunity in the WHL with Spokane but if he is going to play in the MJHL we want it to be here in his hometown with us. This is a very good addition for the Oil Caps and with the uncertainty of the WHL season, he is a player that we could see as early as this season!”
The second player in this deal is Calder Anderson. Anderson, a 2002 born forward out of Brandon, MB, played in 62 games last season (4G, 6A, 10PTS) in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Warriors drafted him in 2017 in the seventh round (134th overall). Anderson played two seasons with the AAA U18 Brandon Wheat Kings program before transitioning to the Western Hockey League. He scored 95 points in 75 games in his 2 years with the Wheat Kings.
“Calder is a player that we understand we may not have a chance to see here until he is 20 but if we ever do see the return it will be a big one. He is an excellent player with a very high hockey IQ and tremendous character.”, said Ramsey. “He is someone I have experience coaching and love what he brings to any team he has played on. Calder is a very intelligent player that can play in any situation. We are very excited to have acquired Calder’s playing rights.”
The Oil Capitals also receive a 2nd round pick in the 2021 MJHL Bantam Draft. Head Scout Brian Elder was excited to have added another high pick in what he believes will be a deep draft class next spring. “We feel we will be able to get a very very good player for the future with the extra 2nd round pick.”, said Elder. The top 2 rounds will be full of great prospects and to have 3 picks in those 2 rounds puts our organization in a good spot.”
The Oil Capitals first Pre-Season game is Wednesday night at 7:30 against Wayway.