The Maryland Black Bears announced on Thursday that they had acquired defenseman Jack Blanchett from the Wichita Falls Warriors in exchange for Philip Törnqvist and future considerations.
Blanchett, a 2003 birth year blue liner, registered 12 points (5g, 7a) in 27 games this season after putting up only six assists in 42 games last season. A product of the Oakland Jr. A Grizzlies and Honeybaked AAA programs, Blanchett is a Lake Superior State University commit– joining Vlad Polegoshko and Branden Piku as commits to the Lakers.
Törnqvist leaves Maryland after coming in at the midway point of 2020-21 and holds the Black Bears record for most goals in a career by a defenseman with 14 in his 57 games. Törnqvist also is tied for top spot for power play goals by a defenseman and tied for all skaters in power play goals with five. Törnqvist was never afraid to jump in the play, but was savvy enough to catch up should he get caught out of position.
On the surface, both players seem more or less the same in terms of size and point production, so the move could raise some eyebrows. However, it shouldn’t be too much of a shake-up for the team. At times, a change of scenery can do a player well and maybe help a team in a key area when it comes to intangibles that player could bring.
The Black Bears and Blanchett will play New Jersey to kick off the second half of the season on Friday and Saturday at the Den in Piney Orchard. Head to Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com to pick up your seats for this battle of East Division leaders.
Clutch And Crab Hockey 