Niverville Nighthawks add Winnipeg Blues’ top scorer via trade

Niverville Nighthawks general manager Mike McAulay had a busy week, adding two players on July 16 and 18, as the start of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League season fast approaches.

The Nighthawks first looked West for a player, nabbing 2004-born defender Holdin Getzlaf from the Estevan Bruins. The 20-year-old was born in Kelowna and joined the Bruins mid-way through the 2022/2023 season. He’s appeared in 76 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League games.

McAulay shared on the team’s social media feeds the team has been keeping track of Getzlaf for several years.

“(He) is a smart player with good size and a defense first approach to the game,” McAulay said.

“Very good on the penalty kill and in the d-zone. He has a high skill level so we think there is some offensive upside to unlock as well.”

In exchange for Getzlaf, Niverville sent a player development fee back to Estevan.

Two days later, the Nighthawks completed a trade in Manitoba, receiving 2005-born forward Dawson Zeller from the Winnipeg Blues.

In exchange for Zeller, the Nighthawks sent the MJHL rights to 2006-born forward Lukas Mager and a player development fee. Both teams also committed “future considerations” to the deal. Mager played 42 games with the U18 Winnipeg Bruins last season, scoring 27 points.

Zeller has already spent two full seasons in the MJHL with the Blues, playing over 100 games. He led the team in points last season, scoring 37 on a young team that struggled to generate offense consistently. Zeller was the only player in the top-five scorers for the Blues who was not a rookie.

“(He’s) a dynamic offensive player with a pro shot and release,” McAulay said.

“Very good game sense and plays a responsible game. We’re thrilled to be able to add an elite player like Dawson to our lineup.”

Manitoba junior camps will get underway at the end of August.