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Blazers trade Josh Pillar to Saskatoon Blades due to private medical situation

Victor Kaisar
Jan 17, 2022 | 12:49 PM


Blazers trade Josh Pillar to Saskatoon Blades due to private medical situation

The Kamloops Blazers have traded 19-year-old forward Josh Pillar to the Saskatoon Blades because of a private medical situation, one of three trades the team made on WHL Trade Deadline day.

The Warman, Sask., native has been missing from the Blazers lineup in recent days as he is is currently recovering from a private medical situation at home, the details of which were not disclosed.

In a statement, the Blazers, the Blades, and Josh’s family all say the best place for his recovery is in his hometown.

“We’d like to thank Josh for his time and contributions to the Kamloops Blazers organization and wish him all the best at home in Saskatoon,” Blazers Head Coach and General Manager, Shaun Clouston, said, in a statement.

Pillar was a first round draft pick of the Blazers in the 2017 WHL Prospects Draft. A prospect of the Minnesota Wild, he put up 43 goals and 83 assists for 126 points in 184 games with Blazers over four seasons, helping the team win back to back BC Division titles in 2020 and 2021.

“We would like to thank Kamloops on working together to make this happen for the Pillar family,” Blades general manager and president Colin Priestner said, in a statement. “Josh is one of the best players in the WHL and while it’s certainly very exciting for us to add him, our primary focus at this time is getting Josh healthy and back on the ice at some point this season.”

The Blazers are getting a conditional third round pick in the 2022 WHL Draft and a conditional second round pick in 2024 in exchange for Pillar.

“This is a dream come true for me to play for the team I grew up cheering for,” Pillar said. “I’m so thankful for the Blazers and the Blades for making this possible for me, and I’m excited to throw on my hometown colours and return to the ice soon.”

“Our family thanks everyone for respecting our wishes for privacy at this time and I look forward to meeting my new teammates and staff in the near future.”