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Dillon Wagner (photo from scbroncos.com)

 

Dillon Wagner is a model of what Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb wants a Bronco to be. However, when debating which overage player to move, Wagner's recent injury history was the deciding factor.

"We like everything about Wagner," Lamb said. "If he could stay healthy we would welcome him on our team any day."

"It was just hard to keep a guy that can't stay in the line-up."

The Broncos sent Wagner to Portland on Wednesday for gritty 17-year-old forward Adam Smith. Wagner played 163 games as a Bronco and scored 53 points. Smith has only played 2 career WHL games thus far.

Wagner's career as a Bronco showed tremendous promise after a 32 point sophomore season. That is when the injuries started to mount. One knee injury kept him out for the first few months of the 2010-2011 season. Another ended his year after only 25 games.

The Duffield, Alberta native only lasted parts of 2 games this season before the injury bug struck again. He goes to a Portland team fresh off a trip to the WHL finals. Wagner is still likely weeks away from playing.

"It is tough to say goodbye to Wagner as he has been with the Broncos for such a long time and has been such a part of the team's foundation," Lamb said. "But this is an incredible opportunity for him as Portland has a very strong team and will likely go far this season."

In Smith the Broncos add a big, gritty forward known for a two-way game. He was a 9th round bantam draft pick of the Winterhawks in 2009. He split last season between the Junior B Castlegar Rebels and the Junior A Cowichan Valley Capitals in BC. Smith has 1 point in 6 games with the BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers so far this season.

Swift Current also added 19-year-old defenceman Erik Fleming from Seattle for future considerations. He gives them needed veteran depth as Jordan Evans recovers from an upper body injury. Both Fleming and Smith will join the Broncos this weekend. Lamb doesn't expect either of them will play until they practice with their new club.

The Broncos are in Prince Albert tonight and host Medicine Hat tomorrow. You can catch both games on The Eagle 94.1 FM starting with our pre-game show at 6:30pm.

Click here for the full interview with Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb

Click here for the Broncos press release on the trade

Click here for more information on the trade at Mullin's Broncos Blog

Click here for details of a trade between Moose Jaw and Calgary