Forward Hayden Gelbard is on his way to the Langley Rivermen after being traded by the Cranbrook Bucks in exchange for future considerations.

The 2002-born product of West Vancouver is entering his final season of junior hockey eligibility after spending the previous two campaigns in Cranbrook.

During the Bucks’ inauguration in the 2020-21 BCHL Pod Season, Gelbard contributed one goal and played in all 20 contests for Cranbrook.

In 2021-22, he added another six goals and three assists for nine points in 32 regular season games after missing most of October and November with an injury. Gelbard also appeared in a pair of playoff games for the Bucks, failing to find the scoresheet.

All tolled, Gelbard tallied seven goals and 10 points through 52 games in Cranbrook, while providing a physical presence and some depth to the Bucks’ forward group.

Hayden will be reunited with his brother Walker in Langley, who also played for Cranbrook in parts of the past two seasons before being dealt to the Rivermen ahead of January’s BCHL trade deadline.

More on the Walker Gelbard trade to Langley can be found here, and the Bucks official news release on the Hayden Gelbard trade can be found here.

The news release on today’s trade included the following.

“The Cranbrook Bucks have traded 2002-born forward Hayden Gelbard to the Langley Rivermen in exchange for future considerations.”

“In Gelbard’s two years with the Bucks, he played 52 games and contributed seven goals and three assists.”

Cranbrook’s head coach and general manager Ryan Donald also shared his thoughts on Hayden moving on after two years with the Bucks.

“We would like to wish Hayden the best of luck in Langley. Hayden has been with our organization from the beginning and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him in his development,” said Donald.

Cranbrook opens the 2022-23 regular season on the road on Friday, Sept. 23 against the Merritt Centennials. The Bucks will host the Gelbard brothers and the Langley Rivermen at Western Financial Place on Saturday, March 11.