The Regina Pats shuffled their overage players on Thursday.
First, the team dealt 2005-born goaltender Kelton Pyne to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft.
Pyne, 20, appeared in two games with the Pats this season, going 0-0-1 with a 5.76 goals-against average and an .818 save percentage. The White City, Sask. product played in 104 career games with the Pats from 2021–2025, ranking 17th in franchise history for games played by a goaltender. Over his career, the 6-foot-1, 173-pound netminder posted a 31-47-10-4 record with a 3.97 GAA, an .880 SV%, and three shutouts.
Pats general manager Dale Derkatch was grateful for the time Pyne spent with the Blue Brigade.
“As a local player, Kelton was a great ambassador for the Pats both on and off the ice and made a significant impact on our organization during his time here.”
Once that trade was completed, Derkatch worked on a second deal, acquiring 2005-born defenceman Carter Kowalyk from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.
Kowalyk, 20, appeared in five games with the Thunderbirds and three with the Kelowna Rockets to begin the 2024-25 season after being traded to Seattle on September 30. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound left-shot defenceman is in his fifth and final WHL season, having played 177 career games, recording 33 points (7G-26A) and 218 penalty minutes.
The Edmonton Oil Kings initially selected a product of St. Albert, Alberta, Kowalyk in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He was part of Edmonton’s 2022 WHL Championship team, suiting up in 34 regular-season games (2G-8A) and 15 playoff contests.
Derkatch is excited for what the veteran will add to the blue line.
“Carter is a big, strong defenceman who will bring a veteran presence to our backend. We are looking forward to him adding leadership and experience, as he was part of a WHL Championship with Edmonton in 2022."
The Regina Pats are back on the ice on Friday night when they travel to Prince Albert to play the Raiders. That game will be streamed on CKRM-2 starting with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m.
