T-birds trade Durand in exchange of centers

The Seattle Thunderbirds completed a major trade on Tuesday, dealing center Chris Durand to Prince George for center Brett Robertson.

The trade, which will be announced today after the Western Hockey League's moratorium ends, was confirmed by sources from each team.

Durand, 19, has played for the T-birds since he was 16. He was drafted by the NHL's Colorado Avalanche in the second round in 2005, but struggled to score the last two seasons. He has five goals and three assists in 34 games this season after scoring 14 goals with 20 assists in 71 games last season.

Robertson, 20, has five goals and 16 assists in 32 games for Prince George this season. Last season in Medicine Hat, he had 22 goals and 47 points in 66 games. Robertson has played in 46 playoff games the last three seasons, collecting 12 goals and 12 assists.

Notes

• Seattle (16-9-1-8), second in the U.S. Division, plays Everett tonight at KeyArena. Everett (27-5-0-1) leads the division by 14 points but went into the break with a 2-1 loss at Seattle on Dec. 17.

• Everett will be without two key players. Goaltender Leland Irving is playing for Team Canada and Peter Mueller is playing for Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Sweden. The tournament concludes on Jan. 5.