The Wenatchee Wild and Calgary Hitmen have completed a trade. Wenatchee has dealt forward Blake Vanek to the Hitmen for the rights to forward Carter Ernst and a sixth-round pick in the 2029 draft. Blake is the son of Thomas Vanek, who played in over 1,000 NHL games. Vanek is currently in his rookie WHL season. The 18-year-old has scored eight goals and recorded 18 points in 37 games. Vanek is an Ottawa Senators [http://thn.com/ottawa] prospect, as he was drafted 93rd overall in 2025. As for Ernst, he is a 17-year-old currently playing in the USHL [http://thn.com/ushl]. This season, he has two goals and five points in 15 games for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Ernst has also played part of the season in the Minnesota High School league, where he has 19 points in 11 games. Blake Vanek of the Wenatchee Wild (Photo Credit: Russ Alman/Wenatchee Wild/WHL) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f006df93-83d3-43b5-9f0a-b2c061af32f3.jpeg] Blake Vanek of the Wenatchee Wild (Photo Credit: Russ Alman/Wenatchee Wild/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: Hurricanes & Tigers Make Deal Ahead Of 2026 Trade Deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/hurricanes-tigers-make-deal-ahead-of-2026-trade-deadline] Kamloops Blazers Defenceman Harrison Brunicke Returns To The WHL [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/kamloops-blazers-defenceman-harrison-brunicke-returns-to-the-whl] Prince Albert Raiders Acquire Braeden Cootes In Blockbuster Trade [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/prince-albert-raiders-acquire-braeden-cootes-in-blockbuster-trade] Edmonton Oil Kings Trade Parker Alcos To The Kelowna Rockets [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/edmonton-oil-kings-trade-parker-alcos-to-the-kelowna-rockets] Kelowna Rockets Acquire Ty Halaburda From the Vancouver Giants [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/kelowna-rockets-acquire-ty-halaburda-from-the-vancouver-giants] 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/f1ea4501-d75e-490b-86df-5a4e045eaa46.jpeg] The Hockey News
