Story by Tri-City Storm Communications
The Tri-City Storm has announced a transaction with the Madison Capitols ahead of the 2023-2024 regular season. The Storm has acquired a 2nd Round pick in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft, and a 3rd Round pick in the 2024 USHL Phase I Draft from the Capitols in exchange for goaltender Patriks Bērziņš, and a 10th Round pick in the 2024 USHL Phase I Draft.
Patriks Bērziņš, 19, of Talsi, Latvia, was acquired by the Storm on January 18th, 2023, in a trade with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL). He made his debut for the organization on January 20th, 2023, in a 4-0 shutout victory on the road against the Omaha Lancers. Bērziņš turned away all nineteen of Omaha’s shots on net during the matchup to record his first career victory, and first career shutout, in the USHL. He finished the 2022-2023 regular season with a record of 11-3-1-1 in net for the Storm. Bērziņš posted a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.66, and a Save Percentage (SV%) of .890%. He stopped 332 of 373 shots faced during the 2022-2023 regular season.
“Patriks not being able to play at Maine this year, was not something we foresaw at all. Unfortunately, we had to make goaltending plans without him this summer. We felt he deserved the chance to go be a starter, and this trade also allowed us to acquire some assets to aid us in the future.”- President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen
“We wish Patriks all the best with his new club. He was an outstanding goaltender with us and teammate last season, but with his unexpected return to junior hockey, we felt it was best for him and his hockey career to move him to an opportunity where he could be a number one goaltender this season. We feel confident and comfortable with our current goaltending plans, and see this acquisition of the two draft picks helping the organization in the future when needed.”- General Manager Jason Koehler