Flint deals for Leafs prospect
Flint Firebirds have shipped a troika of draft picks to the London Knights for 1998 birth-year defenseman Nicolas Mattinen in an Ontario Hockey League trade completed today.
In exchange for the 6-foot-5, 218-pound Mattinen, who was a sixth-round selection of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2016 National Hockey League draft, Flint sends a pair of second-round picks and one third-rounder to London.
Should Mattinen play as an overager next season, Flint will send London another third-round pick.
With a surplus of stockpiled draft picks acquired through earlier trades, Flint was dealing from future depth in acquiring immediate help in Mattinen.
“This is a significant step forward for our hockey club,” said Firebirds general manager Barclay Branch. “Nicolas brings a wealth of experience to Flint and is a defenseman that has a real presence, both on-the-ice and in the dressing room, and will be a good leader for our young players. He is a type of player that is conscious defensively and has an offensive side to him as well.”
Mattinen, who played two full OHL seasons with London, said he has heard good things about the Firebirds as an organization.
“It’s pretty surreal, it’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to the opportunity in Flint,” said Mattinen. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the organization, that it’s ran like a professional team and about the work ethic that the coaches expect out of the guys. I’m just looking forward to being a part of the team this year.”
Mattinen is a graduate of the Cumberland Grads of the Central Canada Hockey League.