And then there were four.
Parker Stanfield got caught up in a numbers game and as a result, he's no longer a Prince George Cougar.
The Cougars traded the 20-year-old right winger to the Everett Silvertips for a sixth-round choice in the 2012 WHL bantam draft.
The native of Orange County, Calif., is in his fourth WHL season. In 202 games, all with the Cougars, he collected 46 goals and 54 assists for 100 points. He was on a point-per-game pace in four games this season, with one goal and three assists.
Stanfield's departure leaves the Cougars with four 20-year-olds, one more than the maximum allowed in the WHL. They added overaged forward Taylor Stefishen to the roster on Tuesday, and last Sunday picked up 20-year-old defenceman Sena Acolatse in a trade from the Saskatoon Blades. Also in the mix are goalie Morgan Clark and forward James Dobrowolski, both 20-year-olds.
Clark did not dress for the Cougars' most recent game, a 6-3 win over the Kootenay Ice Wednesday in Cranbrook. James Priestner, 19, faced the Ice, while 16-year-old Edmonton midget callup Tyler Santos, served as backup.
All WHL teams are required to have three or fewer 20-year-olds as of the Oct. 14 deadline.
The Cougars (2-3-0-0) are in Lethbridge tonight to take on the Hurricanes (6 p.m. PT, 99.3 FM The Drive). The four-game Central Division tour also stops in Medicine Hat for a game against the Tigers on Saturday night. The Cougars also visit the Edmonton Oil Kings on Thanksgiving Monday afternoon.
