In the 1979–80 season, Trader scored 33 points in 50 games as a defenceman and was named CJHL Best Midget-Age Player and invited to the All-star team.
After being selected by the Red Wings, Trader remained on the Knights to develop and he responded by putting up his largest numbers to date.
With impressive numbers now on his resume, Trader was asked to play for Team Canada in the 1983 World Junior Championships.
Detroit came calling again for the 1984–85 season and Trader responded, played great defensive hockey and posting 10 points in 40 games.
He joined Adirondack in their playoff run and helped them win the Calder Cup over the Hershey Bears in six games.
Trader played 48 games for the team, scored 20 points and won the Spengler Cup and had a fourth-place finish in the 1987 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
During his run with Team Canada, Trader found out over the phone that he was traded to the St. Louis Blues for Lee Norwood on August 7, 1986.
He would never make it to the parent club, but played out the 1988–89 season with the Binghamton Whalers of the AHL, where he again led a team in defensive scoring with his 11 goals and 40 assists.