Preseason Deal

The Millionaires lack a number-one defenseman and there are legitimate questions about whether Hugh Lehman is the real deal in goal, but this team is aggressively pursuing players who can vault them into contention. Drafting stud pivot Duke Keats with the first overall pick was a huge step, and now the Millies have made a significant -- if not quite blockbuster -- trade to continue to bring talent into the organization: They've worked out a deal with the Victorias to land high-scoring winger Frank Rankin.

Rankin was an original member of the Vics and won a pair of Creighton Cups with that celebrated franchise in Seasons 1 and 2. He ranks thirteenth all-time in points with 52, so although he's not quite a star, he's had a fine career and will be the most accomplished player to have donned a Millionaires' sweater.  

Season 4, however, was a bit of a challenge for Rankin. He lost his spot on the top line and muddled along with a plus/minus that was among the league's worst until recovering somewhat over the last few games. Rankin was so snakebitten that by season's end he was primarily a power-play specialist and wasn't trusted to play big minutes for a Vics team that was in a tight battle with the Bulldogs for first place. He finished with just 9 points (6 G, 3 A) in 16 games. Perhaps a change of scenery will help! On the Millies, Rankin will play on the first line with rookie Keats and incumbent star Jimmy Gardner (10 G, 9 A, 16 games). That line should be a lot of fun to watch, as all three lads can skate and score. As an added bonus for the Millies, Rankin almost never takes penalties, and they need disciplined players to balance out their many hotheads.

Moving to the Vics in return is Ernie Russell, who was the (de facto) top centerman for the Millionaires in their expansion season, though he's primarily a winger by trade. Russell was second to Gardner in scoring (7 G, 6 A, 16 games) among the Millies, and he'll bring a lot of energy and feistiness to a Vics team that seemed dull and listless despite its prodigious talents. I'm excited to see how this trade pans out, and hope especially that Rankin rediscovers his touch with a new organization!