Cougars add size and depth at forward as trade deadline approaches

The Prince George Cougars have made their second trade since the Christmas break.

Borya Valis, a 6’2 19-year-old forward, will be joining the team from the Regina Pats in exchange for 17-year-old defenseman Tyson Buczkowski, a 2024 fourth round pick, and a conditional third rounder in 2027.

Valis has put up 13 goals and 20 assists in 35 games with the Pats this season. He has 106 points in 147 career WHL games.

TRADE: The Prince George Cougars have acquired F Borya Valis (04) from the @WHLPats in exchange for D Tyson Buczkowski (06), a 2024 4th-round pick, and a 2027 conditional 3rd-round pick.

📝https://t.co/m242moXE2u pic.twitter.com/Jfwi6goJmS

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) December 31, 2023

“Valis is an offensive player that has a nose for the net,” commented GM and Head Coach Mark Lamb. “His experience and size are also something we were looking for, especially with the injury to Ziemmer.”

Buczkowski has nine points in 36 games from the blue line this year, he was a first round pick of the Cougars in 2021. He played 49 games for Prince George.

Valis will join the Cougars on their current road trip in time for their next game in Wenatchee on Wednesday (January 3). He will wear number 18.

The Cougars acquired 20-year-old defenseman Chase Pauls from the Lethbridge Hurricanes earlier in the week.

The WHL trade deadline is on January 10th.