As the Yorkton Terriers prepare for the 2010-2011 season, one of the key pieces from last year is heading out of town.

Clark Byczysnki, the 20 year old Terrier defenceman, has been sent to Swan Valley of the MJHL in exchange for 19 year old defenceman Paul Bonar.

The Terriers then sent Bonar’s rights to the Winnipeg Blues as part of the future considerations in the trade that sent Troy Smukowich to Yorkton last season.

Terriers General Manager Don Chesney says that it is always tough to lose a kid like Byczynski, especially under these circumstances.

“It was tough to lose Clark, he’s been a great Terrier and a great kid. It’s always hard to trade a kid from Bredenbury that worked so hard and was such a fan favourite but so be the game.”

The choice ultimately was not Chesney’s, as Swan Valley had acquired the future considerations rights from Winnipeg.

Thus the Terriers were bound to give up whichever player was selected by Swan Valley.

“We couldn’t do anything about it,” Chesney says.

As for filling the defensive void left by Byczynski, Chesney hopes the younger recruits can step up.

“We brought quite a few kids into camp, hopefully some of them will come to the forefront here in the next couple of weeks,” he explains.