GP Storm (Image Credit: EGP Staff)

By Tanner Smith

Trade deadline moves

Grande Prairie Storm reinforce it’s back-end heading into playoffs

Jan 23, 2026 | 10:02 AM

Ahead of the trade deadline, the Grande Prairie Storm made one last move to tighten up its defensive unit before playoffs.

The Storm moved 2006-forward Brandon de Haas to Camrose for 2007-defenceman Reily Pickford.

Grande Prairie Storm Head Coach Chris Schmidt alluded to this move during his year-end interview with EGP, as they lost Noah Chadi to the WHL in Decemeber.

GM Mike Bomersback says after losing Chadi, they needed to replace his minutes, and he thinks Pickford “will do that and more,” he’s “a smooth skating, good two-way defenceman with great compete.”

In 27 games with the Kodiaks this season, de Haas had ten points, with two goals; in his three games with the Storm, he already added an assist to his tally.

Bomersback also thanked de Haas for his time both on the ice and in the community as a member of the GP Storm.

The Storm are now back in action this weekend on the road, when they take on both Bonnyville and Lloydminster.