The Edmonton Oil Kings boosted their blue line on Tuesday by acquiring defenceman Carter Sotheran from the Portland Winterhawks. In exchange for Sotheran, Portland received defenceman Niko Tsakumis, a first-round pick in 2027 and a fourth-round pick in 2028. Sotheran was initially drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers [http://thn.com/philadelphia] in 2023 but is now a free agent. Sotheran brings plenty of experience to Edmonton's defence core. The 20-year-old has played in 237 regular-season games and has produced 133 points. Sotheran has also played in 41 playoff games, where he has 27 points. As for Tsakumis, the Winterhawks will be his fifth WHL team. The 20-year-old has played for the Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Kamloops Blazers and the Oil Kings. In 180 career regular-season games, Tsakumis has 43 points and 113 penalty minutes. Carter Sotheran of the Portland Winterhawks (Photo Credit: Keith Dwiggins/Portland Winterhawks/WHL) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/671fd312-d9fa-4228-9b54-1a9706221e1a.jpeg] Carter Sotheran of the Portland Winterhawks (Photo Credit: Keith Dwiggins/Portland Winterhawks/WHL) Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News [https://thehockeynews.com/whl]. Latest From THN’s Western Hockey League [https://thehockeynews.com/whl] Site: Kelowna Rockets Forward Vojtech Cihar Named 2026 World Juniors MVP [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/kelowna-rockets-forward-vojtech-cihar-named-2026-world-juniors-mvp] Standouts From Week 16 Of The 2025-26 WHL Season [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/standouts-from-week-16-of-the-2025-26-whl-season] Vancouver Giants & Spokane Chiefs Pull Off Blockbuster Trade For Mathis Preston [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/vancouver-giants-spokane-chiefs-pull-off-blockbuster-for-mathis-preston] Vancouver Giants Pull Off Trio Of Trades, Acquire Iginla & Hartmann While Dealing Schmidt, Alain & Obobaifo [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/vancouver-giants-pull-of-trio-of-trades-acquire-iginla-hartmann-while-dealing-schmidt-alain-obobaifo] WHL Standouts At The 2026 World Juniors: Semifinals [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/whl-standouts-at-the-2026-world-juniors-semifinals] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*11e3hua*_ga*MTk0NDM0Mzk0OS4xNzQ2MjQ0ODA2*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjYzMzYxOTQkbzkwOSRnMSR0MTc2NjMzNzA3NyRqNTYkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum. The Hockey News [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/988ee040-7512-4dd4-bf8d-f837017ec39a.jpeg] The Hockey News
