If Fischer O'Brien gets called up to his WHL team next hockey season he won't have far to travel.
The Prince George Cougars made that possible Thursday when they swung a deal to acquire the 16-year-old forward from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
In return, the Cougars sent defenceman Tyson Phare to Lethbridge in a trade made during the WHL draft in Red Deer.
O'Brien played all his minor hockey in Prince George and was drafted last year by the 'Canes in the fifth round of the WHL draft, 98th overall. He played this past season for the Cariboo Cougars in the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League and had two goals and five assists for seven points in 40 games with the midget Cats.
Fischer is the younger brother of former Cougar centre Brogan O'Brien, who played five seasons in the WHL and now plays at Carleton University.
"We're thrilled to add a player that comes from a great family that has strong ties to the organization and community," said Cougars general manager Mark Lamb, in a team release. "His brother enjoyed a very successful career in Prince George, and we're excited to have Fischer now join the fold."
Phare was the Cougars' first-round pick (18th overall) in 2017, chosen a member of the Yale Academy Elite 15s. He played 16 games in the WHL with the Cougars over two seasons and was held without a point.
After being sent down by the Cougars in October, Phare played productive eight games last season at Yale Academy in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, finishing with a goal and nine assists. He also suited up for two junior B games with the Ridge Meadows Flames.
One Prince George minor hockey player was chosen in Thursday's draft. Centre Nico Myatovic, who captained the Prince George-based North Central Bobcats and led them to the bantam Tier 1 provincial championship, was selected in the sixth round, 119th overall, by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
In 16 games with his bantam team he had 17 goals and 43 points. Myatovic also played nine games for the major midget Cariboo Cougars and picked up five assists.
Bobcats forward Max Sanford of Williams Lake was taken one spot ahead of Myatovic in the sixth round, 118th overall, by the Kelowna Rockets.
