The Prince George Cougars added size to their lineup with the acquisition of six-foot, 214-pound forward Jesse Gabrielle on Monday.
Cougars general manager Todd Harkins acquired Gabrielle, along with a 2017 fourth-round bantam draft pick, from the Regina Pats in exchange for 16-year-old forward Lane Zablocki and a 2016 fourth-round draft pick.
Gabrielle was selected by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2015 NHL draft. He split last season between the Brandon Wheat Kings and Pats and combined for 23 goals, 21 assists and 112 penalty minutes. He added one goal, three assists and eight penalty minutes in nine playoff games with the Pats.
"These two players slot into their new respective organization's depth charts, strengthening both teams immediately and down the road," said Harkins in a press release. "In Gabrielle we get an NHL-drafted power forward who is offensively gifted, tough to play against and he brings a wealth of experience to our team."
In 117 career regular-season games, Gabrielle has collected 35 goals, 35 assists and 187 penalty minutes. Originally from Moosomin, Sask., he was selected by the Wheat Kings in the fifth round (100th overall) in the 2012 WHL bantam draft.
The Cougars selected Zablocki in the fifth round (109th overall) in the 2013 bantam draft. Last season as a 16-year-old, he dressed in 55 games with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League where he tallied 15 goals and added 10 assists and 114 penalty minutes.
With the addition of Gabrielle, the Cougars now have five NHL-drafted players on the roster. He'll be on the ice at CN Centre with the launch of the Cougars training camp on Aug. 29.
