The surging Calgary Hitmen made two key trades on Saturday as they target a playoff run this season.
The Western Hockey League club pulled off a blockbuster deal by acquiring Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for defenceman Linden Burrett and forward Sawyer Mayes, and a first-round and fourth-round pick in both the 2025 and ’26 WHL Prospects Draft.
A product of Kamloops, B.C., Mynio in his fourth full season in the WHL. The 19-year-old defenceman served as co-captain of the Thunderbirds and has five goals and 14 assists in 18 games this season. The 6-foot-1 Mynio was drafted by the Canucks in the third round, 89th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Mynio brings extensive playoff experience with more than 40 games, including a WHL championship in 2023 and a Memorial Cup appearance. He will join Calgary after returning from the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, where he represented Team Canada alongside new Hitmen teammate Tanner Howe.
Mynio has recorded 30 goals and 84 assists in 196 WHL games.
“We have acquired one of the top defenceman in the Western Hockey League who contributes a vast amount of experience both in the regular season, playoffs and internationally,” said Hitmen general manager Garry Davidson. “Acquiring players of this magnitude requires a club to give up a lot, including two young quality players who we wish all the best to in Seattle.
“Sawyer will be a critical piece in our second half drive and in our pursuit of a playoff run.”
Later Saturday, the Hitmen announced they had acquired forward Carson Birnie from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for 2007-born prospect Parker MacDougall and 2008-born prospect Ethan Dundas, who are also forwards. In addition, Red Deer will receive a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a third-round pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.
Birnie was drafted by the Rebels in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft and has played 150 games in the league while registering 31 goals and 29 assists. The 19-year-old has nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games this season, and was an assistant captain with Red Deer.
“Carson comes in with lots of experience and tools that will add to the depth of this team” said Davidson. “He is a physical 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward who will add presence and size to our forward group.”
The Hitmen (20-11-3-1) sit third in the Eastern Conference but are level on points with the first-place Medicine Hat Tigers and second-place Saskatoon Blades entering Saturday’s action.
Calgary is looking for a third straight win and eighth in 10 games when it hosts the Regina Pats (9-20-4-2) at the Saddledome on Sunday (1 p.m.).