The Weyburn Red Wings announced on Thursday that they have swapped defencemen with the Flin Flon Bombers.

Weyburn sent 1988-born defenceman Jean-Sebastien Bergeron to Flin Flon for 1989-born defenceman Ethan Gardner and a future player.

Gardner is a six-foot two-inch 185-pound native of Mortlach, Sask., who spent last season with the Moose Jaw Midget AA Warriors. With Moose Jaw, Gardner played 32 games, tallying 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points and 49 penalty minutes.

"He'll bring in toughness, youth, strength, an excellent shot and he makes plays," said Red Wings general manager Ron Rumball.

Bergeron, a five-foot-11 185-pound native of Nicolet, Que., scored three goals and 11 assists in 54 games for 14 points and racked up 82 penalty minutes with the Red Wings last season.

The Red Wings also announced that they have listed Balgonie Midget AA Prairie Storm defenceman Andrew Perrault.

Perrault, a six-foot tall 200-pound 1989 born native of Grand Coulee, Sask., had two goals, 12 assists and 83 penalty minutes with the Prairie Storm last season.

"Again, he gives us a good look at the back end. They (Gardner and Perrault) are good, promising young players," Rumball said.

Gardner and Perrault were added to the Red Wing roster in order to add some youth to the blue line, according to Rumball. Weyburn will have four 19-year-old defencemen returning and one 20-year-old.

As for how they will adapt to the jump from Midget AA hockey to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Rumball felt Perrault and Gardner have the character to take the challenge head on.

The Red Wings continue to scout players before their training camp, which starts on Friday, Aug. 31. One player that has caught the hockey club's eye is local talent Sterling LaBatte who spent last season with the Prince Albert Midget AAA Mintos.

"At the moment Sterling's plan is to attend the Prince Albert Raiders main camp, so we will have to be patient," said Rumball.

The SJHL exhibition games are expected to run from Sunday, Sept. 2, to Wednesday, Sept. 12.