Pats trade goaltender Matthew Kieper to Blazers

While the Regina Pats aren’t in action on the ice Tuesday, they made a move off of it.

The WHL team announced it had traded goaltender Matthew Kieper to the Kamloops Blazers. Coming the Pats’ way are a 2023 fourth-round pick (which Kamloops acquired previously from the Edmonton Oil Kings) and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

The 18-year-old Kieper has posted a 23-22-1-2 career record with the Pats. In 55 appearances over four seasons, the Winnipeg product has a 3.88 goals-against average and a .873 save percentage with one shutout.

This season, Kieper has played in 12 games for the Pats, going 4-5-0-1 with a 4.39 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage.

He was originally taken by the Pats in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2019 WHL prospects draft.

Drew Sim and Kelton Pyne are the Pats’ two active goaltenders with Kieper’s departure.

“We had a plan last spring. Those goalies were challenged and had good starts and beat out who we brought in,” Pats head coach-general manager John Paddock said. “At this (point), Drew took another step forward and, with Kelton Pyne, we feel we have another good young goalie there.

“(Kieper) needed to play and he wanted to play. It was a mutual decision and I’m really happy he got to go to Kamloops when they are hosting the Memorial Cup.

“Drew can very well be the overage goalie next year and Kelton is there. We still have solid depth and they have proven themselves. Kelton has more to prove but he showed fairly good last year in tough situations.”

Regina is to return to action Wednesday in Brandon against the Wheat Kings.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Shane Clausing