It’s not Connor Bedard, but the Kamloops Blazers have made a blockbuster deal to load up for the Memorial Cup this spring.

The club announced Sunday that it has acquired Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a significant package of players and picks.

Kamloops is sending its next four first-round picks the other way, along with five other draft picks, a conditional pick, Kaden Hammell, Drew Englot and two prospects.

Zellweger is the major piece in the deal, as the Anaheim Ducks draft pick has 10 goals and 28 points this season and just won gold with Canada at the World Juniors.

In 2021-22, Zellweger led the WHL in scoring by a defenceman with 78 points on his way to winning the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the league’s best blue liner.

Photo Credit: Getty ImagesZellweger (centre) celebrates World Junior gold just last week.

Hofer is a Washington Capitals draft pick and will take Englot’s place as one of the Blazers’ three overage players. 

He has 23 goals and 36 points in as many games this season. During last season’s playoffs with Everett, Hofer scored six goals and added four assists in just six games.

Your first chance to see the new acquisitions in action will be on Wednesday when the Blazers host the Vancouver Giants for a midweek showdown.