The Prince George Cougars have placed 20-year-old goaltender Jared Rathjen on waivers. The local WHL team made the announcement late Tuesday afternoon.
Rathjen, a Prince George product, was a victim of the numbers game. He was one of four 20-year-olds on the Cougars' roster, and the maximum number a team is allowed to carry is three.
Rathjen, a backup goalie along with Tavin Grant, appeared to have his fate sealed when the St. Louis Blues returned 20-year-old forward Zach Pochiro to the Cougars on Nov. 18. As their 20-year-olds, the Cougars are going with Pochiro and fellow forwards Jari Erricson and Chance Braid.
The Cougars acquired Rathjen on Oct. 30 when they claimed him off waivers from the Medicine Hat Tigers. In three games with the Cats, he posted a 0-2 record with a goals-against average of 5.16 and a save percentage of .852.
There is a 48-hour window for another WHL team to claim Rathjen.
