McNabb is the youngest child of Kim and Jeannine McNabb of Davidson. Last season, McNabb played junior hockey out on the west coast. He was drafted by the Royals in the third round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. He appeared in 30 games last season for the Royals and added three more in the 2018 WHL Playoffs.

Along with acquiring McNabb, the Pats also received a ninth-round pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. In exchange, Victoria receives an eighth-round pick in 2020 and a conditional fifth round pick in 2020 in the trade.

“We are happy to get Dean to Regina,” said John Paddock, Pats vice-president of hockey operations and general manager. “He has experience in the league and adds some needed depth to the goalie position within our organization.”

Prior to joining the Royals in 2017-18, McNabb (6’2″, 176 pounds) played two seasons with the Regina Pat Canadians, winning a league title in 2016-17, he carried the best goals against average in the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League at 1.67 and was named a first team all-star.

Max Paddock is the Pats starting goaltender. As of last Wednesday Paddock was 0-2 on the season, allowing 10 goals on 75 shots.

The Pats had two games at home at the Brandt Centre this weekend, taking on the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sept. 28 and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday.

McNabb wasn’t expected to start in last weekend’s action.

The Pats’ next home game is Oct. 6 against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

McNabb is the younger brother to Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Brayden McNabb