Rebels, Broncos, And Warriors Combine For Three-Way Deadline Deal

The 2025 WHL trade deadline looks to close out with a bang.

The Red Deer Rebels, Swift Current Broncos, and Moose Jaw Warriors complete a three-team trade that sees veteran forwards Eric Johnston, Keaton Dowhaniuk, and Hunter Mayo get shuffled around in their final WHL seasons.

To Moose Jaw:

D Eric Johnston ('04)- A Regina, Sask. native, Johnston began his career in 2021-22 with the Edmonton Oil Kings, but played just 19 games there before getting dealt to the Prince Albert Raiders. The six-foot blueliner would go on to play 173 games with the Raiders, being named captain for the 2023-24 season. Johnston would then see himself get moved to Swift Current at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, where he put up 13 points in 37 games.

In addition, the Warriors also receive a 4th-round pick in 2027 and a 7th-round pick in 2026, both of which belong to Red Deer.

To Red Deer:

D Keaton Dowhaniuk ('04)- After spending parts of six seasons with the Prince George Cougars, Dowhaniuk bounced around a few teams before finding a landing spot. Playing just one WHL game before leaving the team, the Saskatchewan native split 29 games between the Vernon Vipers (BCHL) and his now-former club in Moose Jaw. Since the new ruling put forth by the Canadian Hockey League, Dowhaniuk is committed to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks for the 2025-26 season.

F Ty Coupland ('07)- Poised for a career year, Coupland has 21 points in 35 games this season with Swift Current. Hailing from North Vancouver, the career Bronco looks to raise his stock for the 2025 NHL Draft come June and excel in an elevated role.

The Rebels also acquire Swift Current's 4th-round pick in 2025.

To Swift Current:

D Hunter Mayo ('04)- A member of the Rebels since day one of his WHL career, Mayo has been a cornerstone of Red Deer's success. Carrying 224 regular season and 31 playoff games of experience, the Martensville, Sask. blueliner will greatly help Swift Current in a playoff push through the Eastern Conference.

F Trae Wilke ('06)- While less experienced than Mayo, the 18-year-old has still been an impact player since joining the league. Drafted by the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Wilke spent parts of three seasons with the team before getting sent to Red Deer in the 2024 offseason. In 138 WHL games, the forward has racked up 52 points.

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