Kamloops Blazers swap import players, acquire Zabransky from Moose Jaw

Martin Lang was traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors this afternoon. (via Eric Thompson)

A day before the WHL trade deadline, the Kamloops Blazers made a move to upgrade their defence, acquiring Libor Zabransky from the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for Martin Lang.

Both import players hail from the Czech Republic. Zabransky was the most recent captain for his country at the World Junior Championships. 

Blazers fans will be familiar with the 6'1", 197-pound defenceman, who started his career in Kelowna. He has since suited up for the Saskatoon Blades and Warriors, scoring six goals and 33 assists in 136 career games.

“We are excited about the addition of Libor to our group,” says Matt Bardsley, Blazers general manager in a news release. “He was recently the captain of the Czech Republic national junior team and had a great performance at the World Junior tournament. With only six defensemen on our roster, we felt it was important to add a defenseman to our team.”

Lang, an import winger selected in 2018, played 103 games for the Blazers (including playoffs), scoring 19 goals and notching 38 assists.  “To get a good player, you have to give up a good player in Martin Lang,” says Bardsley. “With the emergence of our younger forwards, this allowed this trade to be possible. We would like to thank Marty for his time with the Blazers and we wish him all the best in Moose Jaw.”

The Blazers are currently tops in the B.C. Division, leading the second-place Victoria Royals by five points. Zabransky is expected to join the Blazers for a weekend home-and-home set with the Kelowna Rockets. Kamloops hosts the first meeting tomorrow night, with puck drop at the Sandman Centre at 7 p.m.