GRAND FORKS — Abram Wiebe was sitting on the couch in his apartment Sunday afternoon when his phone rang.
It was Vegas Golden Knights director of player development Wil Nichol on the other line.
“He called me to let me know I was part of the Rasmus Andersson deal and I had been traded to the Calgary Flames,” said Wiebe, who was drafted by Vegas in the seventh round in 2022. “Obviously, a shock at first. You don’t expect that to happen. But obviously, super excited for the opportunity to be a part of a team that wanted me as part of that deal.”
The Golden Knights, famous for trading away draft picks and prospects in exchange for NHL-ready players, were at it again this week.
Vegas acquired Andersson, a highly regarded defenseman, from the Flames in exchange for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, a first-round draft pick, a conditional second-round draft pick and Wiebe’s NHL rights.
Wiebe had attended four NHL development camps with Vegas.
“I thank Vegas for the four years I’ve been with them,” Wiebe said. “They’ve done a lot for me, helping me develop my game through the years. They’ve done a ton for me. Obviously, it was hard at first, but I’m also excited for the new opportunity.”
Wiebe is a junior assistant captain at UND, helping anchor the blue line for the 18-6 Fighting Hawks.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenseman from Mission, B.C., has three goals and 14 points in 24 games. He plays 20:12 per game, which ranks second on the team.
Wiebe recently represented the U.S. Collegiate Selects in the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. The Selects stunned local fans by finishing second in the event.
Calgary will now hold Wiebe’s NHL rights.
The Flames have likely seen quite a bit of Wiebe. UND has two Calgary Flames picks on its team already in first-rounder Cole Reschny and seventh-rounder Cade Littler.
Flames assistant general manager Brad Pascall also played at UND. Pascall’s Walsh Hall roommate was UND head coach Dane Jackson.
Wiebe said he’s looking forward to being a part of Calgary’s prospect pipeline.
“Vegas is a team that’s very dominant and always looking for players for a Cup run,” Wiebe said. “I think going to a team like this, there’s a lot more opportunity for me down the road. It’s pretty cool a team traded for me. I think it shows they wanted me. Talking to the coaches and everything, they think it’s a better spot for me. I think so, too. Obviously, I’m super excited for the opportunity and excited to start working with the coaches and the staff.”
UND defenseman Abram Wiebe waits for a faceoff during the 2025 NCHC Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center.
Russell Hons / UND athletics
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.