Rage Swing Pair of Trades
Land Blue-Liner Brannen from Odessa, Send Weisgerber to Rio Grande Valley

Broomfield, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Rage completed a pair of trades today.  In the first deal with the Odessa Jackalopes, the Rage received defenseman Chris Brannen in exchange for future considerations.  The second deal sent veteran left winger Trevor Weisgerber to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in exchange for the rights to defenseman Bernie Chmiel and future considerations.

2008-09 CHL Off-Season Transactions

“A decision to trade a player like Trevor Weisgerber is never easy and never any fun to make.  ‘Weisy’s’ been with me a long time and is one of the most dependable goal scorers in the CHL,” said Rage Head Coach and General Manager Tracy Egeland.  “But with the league’s rules for veterans, we were forced to make some difficult choices among our players from last season and wanted to make sure we got something in return.  When you look at where we need to improve, scoring goals has never been a problem.  We need to get better defensively.”

The acquisition of the 6-foot-2, 208 lb. Brannen, whom the Rage have signed to a contract for the upcoming campaign, bolsters Rocky Mountain’s defensive corps.  A stay-at-home d-man entering his fifth professional season, he spent the last three years with the Jackalopes.  Brannen helped lead Odessa to two post-season berths, including an appearance in the Southern Conference Finals in 2005-06.  He is also a two-time recipient of the Jacks’ Community Spirit Award given to the player most involved with the team’s community relations efforts.

“Chris will be a stabilizing presence on our blue line,” said Egeland.  “He won’t be flashy, won’t be joining the rush all that often, but he knows his role and does it well.” 

Chmiel just completed his second year as a pro having split last season between the Mississippi RiverKings and Killer Bees.  He has yet to sign a contract with the club.

“Bernie would be another valuable addition to our D if things work out.  But if they don’t,” continued Egeland, “his rights could be used somewhere down the road to help our team.”

Weisgerber departs as the Rage’s all-time leading scorer over the franchise’s brief history with 91 points (35g-61a) during the season-and-a-half he spent in a Rocky Mountain sweater.  Last year the league-classified veteran (more than 280 pro games played) finished third on the team with 69 points (25g-44a), tying him for 18th in the CHL.  Weisgerber played parts of three seasons for Egeland and returns to South Texas where he played for the Rage head coach when both were with the Killer Bees in 2005-06.