North Bay to Hamilton
Northern Ontario product Payton Vescio is headed south to the Hamilton Bulldogs. North Bay Battalion dealt the 2001 birth year defenseman to the reigning Ontario Hockey League champions at today’s trade deadline.
A right-handed shooting defender known for his smarts and skill, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Vescio is in his first OHL season after being picked by the Battalion in the fourth round of the 2017 priority selections draft from the North Bay Trappers of the Great North Midget Hockey League.
While playing for the midget Trappers, Vescio developed into the top defenseman in the Great North loop under high-end coach Guy Blanchard.
Vescio is currently recovering from a shoulder injury. And upon medical clearance, Hamilton will officially send a fourth-round draft pick in 2020 to North Bay in exchange for Vescio, who had four assists in 26 OHL games with the Battalion this season.
A North Bay product, Vescio was a standout as a 16-year old with the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in 2017-2018. He had 3 goals, 19 assists, 22 points in 42 games with Powassan last season.
..NB fans are told the return is a 15th round pick…maybe conditional.
It’s a fourth round pick pending medical clearance.
He is a good hockey player. Hope he can get it going in Hamilton.
Good Luck Payton.