SteelHounds trade MVP Jeff Christian

The Youngstown SteelHounds have made the biggest trade in the team's two-year history, sending the rights to Captain Jeff Christian to the Tulsa Oilers in exchange for four players, three of whom are Central Hockey League All-Stars.

The face of the SteelHounds since he joined the team as forward and assistant coach, Christian, 37, was voted the CHL's most valuable player for the 2006-07 season after leading the league in scoring with 116 points including 38 goals.

In exchange for the rights to Christian, the SteelHounds received forwards Mike Wiggins and Bryan Lachapelle along with defensemen Kurtis Dulle and Terry Virtue.

“As a franchise, we will miss what Jeff brought on the ice and maybe even more what his presence in the community meant to the Mahoning Valley,” said SteelHounds General Manager Joe Gregory.   “He will forever be a part of the SteelHounds family and as an organization we wish him and his family nothing but the best in Tulsa.”

Complete details of the trade will appear in Friday's Vindicator.