They don't call him "Trader Bob" for nothing, but his shrewd moves have paid off for the Tri City Americans, and another one could do so again...

GM Bob Tory dealt 17 year old goaltender Chris Driedger to the Calgary Hitmen, in exchange for a 3rd round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.  This move did not come as a total surprise, as the Americans were looking at three netminders going into the 2011-12 season.  Many experts figured somebody would be moved, or traded, as the Americans had veteran Drew Owsley and top North American prospect Eric Comrie on the roster as well as Driedger.   GM Bob Tory said "with our depth...a trade was going to be a necessity sooner or later.  going into his draft year, Chris deserves a chance to play more WHL games than  he did last year..."   Driedger will be going to a team that is one year removed from playing in the Memorial Cup, but last year fell on hard times due to many drafted players not returning to the WHL team but sticking in the NHL.   The Americans will open training camp  soon, and will launch the 2011-12 preseason Sept. 2-4 with the Everett Silvertips Pre-Season tourney, then Sept 8-10 the annual Red Lion Hotels Pre-Season Tourney at the Toyota Center.

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