The Kamloops Blazers have acquired 19-year-old Slovakian forward Jakub Demek from the Edmonton Oil Kings for four draft picks, including a 2023 first round pick.

It is the first time the Blazers have traded a first round pick since 2014, with Edmonton also getting a conditional second round pick in 2024, a conditional third round pick in 2026, and a fourth round pick in 2026.

Demek, a six-foot-four forward, put up 54 points (20 goals and 34 assists) in 55 games with the Oil Kings last season.

He also finished third in team scoring with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 19 playoff games en route to winning the WHL championship, and had one assist in three Memorial Cup games last season.

A draft pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, Demek also set a Memorial Cup record with 26 faceoff wins in the opening game of the tournament against the Shawinigan Cataractes.

“We are thrilled to add Jakub to our team,” Blazers Head Coach and General Manager, Shaun Clouston, said.

“He’s a big skilled, power forward. Jakub has played at the World Junior Championship as well as in the WHL playoffs and at the 2022 Memorial Cup. His experience at all the events will be invaluable to our team.”

Demek is expected to join the Blazers later this week, though he is currently on the injured reserve and is only expected to return to play in late January.

I like this move. Demek is a horse. Big body F who played a key role for Edmonton last season. It’s the first time the Blazers have traded a 1st rd pick since 2014. It gives the Blazers possibly the biggest group of fwd’s in the WHL. https://t.co/sU8tNfBVGA

— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) November 14, 2022