By Derek Harper
It’s a new week in major junior hockey and we’ve officially reached the offseason. In news out of Portland, the Winterhawks have signed Reed Brown. Brown’s playing rights were acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings in a trade last week. He was originally selected by the Wheat Kings sixth overall in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.
In a press release by the team, Reed spoke highly of Portland.
“I’m really excited. I’m glad to be in Portland. It’s just a great organization and I heard a lot of great things so I’m excited to get started here,” Brown said. “I heard a lot of good things about the coaching. Obviously, they have the statistics to back it up. I’m excited to come here, develop, and try to become a pro.”
The 5-foot-11, 154-pound center played for Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado 15U AAA program last season and led the team in scoring with 34 goals in 48 games. He ranked second on the team with 57 points, one shy of fellow Winterhawks prospect Luke Wilfley.
Reed developed with both OHA Colorado and the Colorado Spring Tigers 14U program during the 2022-23 season, where he produced at a point-per-game clip. The Tempe, Ariz. Native led his team in scoring with five goals and seven points in five tournament games at the prestigious John Reid Bantam event in 2023.
The Winterhawks expect Reed to be at the Neely Cup training camp in the fall.
In other Winterhawks news, they’ve expanded their footprint to grow youth hockey with the acquisition of Sherwood Ice Arena. The agreement was announced in a press release Friday, June 7.
Despite games being over, it’s still somewhat of a busy time for major junior teams as they sign prospects throughout the offseason as they look toward their respective futures.
In addition to Portland, the Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers have signed prospects in the past week. Kamloops continues to rebuild since hosting the Memorial Cup in 2023. Everett meanwhile looks to load up for a run and potentially challenge the defending WHL Western Conference and US Division Champion, Portland Winterhawks.
The Silvertips also signed a second round selection the very next day, Thursday, June 6. Everett signed defenseman Jaxon Pisani, who hails from Sturgeon County, Alberta. Pisani will help bolster a strong Silvertips team with incoming star Landon DuPont, who is the newest exceptional player after Connor Bedard.
According to the press release, Pisani spent the 2023-24 season with the St. Albert Flyers U15 AAA where he recorded nine goals and 37 assists for 46 points. He also posted three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in nine playoff games as the Flyers captured the AEHL U15 championship. His performance earned him a Second-Team All-Star award.
Everett also made a trade Tuesday, June 11 as they received forward Raiden Zacharias from the Regina Pats in exchange for a conditional 2026 ninth round pick.
Portland and Everett weren’t the only US Division teams to sign prospects last week as the Wenatchee Wild signed Grady Veary. The Campbell River, BC native played for the Junior Prospects Hockey League’s Island Hockey Club, suiting up primarily for the club’s Wild Under-15 team.
Veary was selected in the fifth round by Wenatchee, 104th overall. He posted 39 points in 33 regular-season games during his U15 club’s season, and nine points including seven goals during the team’s postseason run. He also stepped up to play 10 games for the U17 and U18 squads, totaling four points between the two teams.
On Wednesday, the Wild announced the acquisition of forward Zane Saab from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a 2027 fifth round pick and a 2028 sixth round pick.
The Kamloops Blazers also signed a couple of prospects as they look to grow their young core.
Stephen Heisler 