Rockets move Quinney

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

The Kelowna Rockets traded 20-year-old Gage Quinney (20) to Kamloops Wednesday.

The Kelowna Rockets have solved their overage dilemma.

The Rockets sent 20-year-old forward Gage Quinney to the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for a 2016 3rd round bantam draft pick on Wednesday.

Quinney was one of four overage players on the Rockets roster. Teams had until Thursday to get to the league maximum of three.

“This was a tough decision but in the end we stayed with the players that have been here since the start of their careers,” said Rockets president/general manager Bruce Hamilton, alluding to the Rockets other 20-year-olds Tyson Baillie, Cole Linaker and Jackson Whistle.

“Tyson and Cole have been with us their whole careers and this is Jackson’s third year.”

Quinney came to the Rockets last season as part of the Josh Morrissey trade with Prince Albert.

He blossomed into an offensive threat with the Rockets, scoring 16 goals and 28 assists in 53 combined regular season and playoff games last season. He added two goals and five assists in five games this season.

“This doesn’t take anything away from Gage,” said Hamilton.

“He came in and did exactly what we wanted him to do last year. He was an excellent player for us. If we could carry four 20-year-olds, he would be on our team.”

In order to make room for Quinney, the Blazers placed overage forward Luke Harrison on WHL waivers.