Prince George Cougars general manager Todd Harkins knew it would be a tough decision.
Since Western Hockey League teams can only have three 20-year-olds on their rosters, and with the Cougars carrying four of them, Harkins made a move Monday, dealing left-winger Aaron Macklin to the Regina Pats in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2016 WHL bantam draft.
At six-foot-two, 200 pounds, Macklin was acquired by the Cougars in a November 2013 trade with the Kamloops Blazers.
In 97 career regular-season games in Prince George, Macklin scored seven goals, 10 assists and added 202 penalty minutes. In 184 career games in the WHL (with Kamloops and Prince George), the High River, Alta., product has tallied 11 goals, 17 assists and 272 penalty minutes.
"Aaron has been a heart-and-soul type of player for us ever since arriving in Prince George," said Harkins.
"We are grateful for the work ethic and character that he brought to the rink with him every day.
"This was another very difficult decision for us, but we are only allowed to carry three 20-year-old players on our roster after Oct. 15 and this move provides Aaron with the chance to continue his WHL career with the Regina Pats."
The Cougars now have three remaining 20-year-olds in their lineup: left-winger Chase Witala, defenceman Joe Carvalho and goaltender Mack Shields.
Their roster now sits at 26 players - 16 forwards, eight defencemen and two goaltenders.
The Cougars open the regular season at home Friday (7 p.m.) at CN Centre against the Everett Silvertips.
