Cranbrook native Payton Lee is headed east.
Thursday afternoon, the 19-year-old netminder was dealt from the WHL’s Vancovuer Giants to the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.
“We think this will be a welcome change for Payton that will allow him to have success,” said Scott Bonner, Giants executive vice president and general manager, in a team release.
In 140 games with the Giants, Lee amassed a record of 52-71-5-4 with a 3.39 goals-against average and .885 save percentage.
For the Oil Kings, the move came to help fill a void left with placement of goaltender Alec Dillon on long-term injury reserve.
“With Alec expected out of the lineup for a longer term, we wanted to make a move to add depth and experience alongside Patrick Dea,” said Randy Hansch, general manager of the Oil Kings, in a team release. “Patrick has played well for us and we think that adding Payton will be a nice compliment as a tandem in our net.”
Lee became expendable in Vancouver after the Giants acquired 20-year-old puckstopper Daniel Wapple from the Regina Pats earlier in the day.
Lee is expected to join the Oil Kings Friday when they visit the Calgary Hitmen.