The Thunder has lost centerman Matt Byrnes in the completion of the trade for defenseman Jason Tessier.
The Thunder acquired Tessier from Amarillo for future considerations in the preseason. Amarillo traded those futures to Texas. As part of the agreement, the Thunder was allowed to protect an undisclosed number of players on the active roster. Texas then selected from the unprotected players today, choosing Byrnes. Bilodeau said that Texas then traded Byrnes to Rio Grande.
Tessier, a four-time CHL All-Star, leads Thunder defenseman with six goals. He has 17 points, three power-play goals and seven power play assists. Byrnes had 10 points in 25 games, including two game-winning goals.
“He played well for us,” Bilodeau said of Byrnes. “I lose a quality person on and off the ice. I lose a decent centerman who could kill penalties and a guy with a lot of speed.”
Injury: Captain Brad Thompson will miss tomorrow’s game with an undisclosed injury. He should be back for the weekend’s games, Bilodeau said.