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Kootenay Ice add overage forward Alec Baer in exchange for Elmer, draft pick

Team gives up forward Jake Elmer and a fifth round selection at the 2018 draft for veteran winger
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Newly acquired forward Alec Baer skates in warmup at Western Financial Place during his time with the Vancouver Giants. (Brad McLeod Photo)

The Kootenay Ice announced yet another trade on Monday afternoon, sending forward Jake Elmer and a 2018 fifth round draft pick to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for 1997-born forward Alec Baer.

Baer, a native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, had one assist in three pre-season games with the Hurricanes in 2017.

The 5’10, 182-pound forward registered 15 goals and 39 points in 69 regular season games during the 2016-17 season, splitting time with the Vancouver Giants and the Hurricanes.

Baer has played four full seasons in the WHL, appearing in 264 regular season games and collecting 55 goals and 69 assists for 124 points.

“Alec has played over 250 games in the Western Hockey League and was a good player for the Hurricanes in the playoffs last year,” said Ice President and General Manager Matt Cockell in a team release. “We would like to thank Jake Elmer for his contributions to the Ice.”

Elmer, who was originally drafted by the Regina Pats in 2013, started last season in the AJHL with the Grande Prarie Storm before having his rights traded to Kootenay in late November.

The Calgary native quickly became an important player for the team, scoring the game-winning shootout goal in his first appearance and ending the season with 16 points in 46 games.

In five preseason games in 2017, Elmer had one goal and was a -1. He is one of three returning Ice forwards to have been traded in the last two weeks along with Noah Philp and Max Patterson.

With Baer now on the roster, the Ice have all three overage positions on their team filled. In addition to Baer, the team has two other 20-year-old forwards: Colton Kroeker and Colton Veloso.

On Sunday, the Ice released 20-year-old goalie Mario Petit and 20-year-old defenceman Jordan Henderson.

The Ice play their first game of the 2017-18 regular season on Friday, as they host the Calgary Hitmen at Western Financial Place at 7 p.m.