Ex Hounds fired up in Flint
Alex Kostov and Connor Clattenburg are putting up the points for the Flint Firebirds as they pursue a playoff position in the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. Kostov and Clattenburg were obtained by Flint from the Soo Greyhounds in a block buster transaction at the January 10 OHL trade deadline.
As part of the big trade, Flint sent Team USA World Junior championship forward Gavin Hayes to Sault Ste. Marie for forwards Kostov and Clattenburg as well as a second round draft pick in 2027, a third rounder in 2025, a fourth rounder in 2026 and a fifth rounder in 2025.
Kostov, who has a 2006 birth date, has shrugged off a slow start in Flint with a points parade production of late. After going point less in his first 11 games with the Firebirds, Kostov has three goals, three assists, six points in his last four outings for Flint. In 36 games with the Greyhounds, the 6-foot-3, 192 pound Kostov clicked for seven goals, eight assists, 15 points.
Clattenburg, meanwhile, has four goals, four assists, eight points in 15 games for Flint. The 2005 birth year forward has three of those goals and an assist in Flint’s last five games. In 30 games with the Greyhounds, the 6-foot-2, 197 pound Clattenburg connected for four goals, eight assists, 12 points.
Flint is on a five game winning streak and has a 7-2-1 record in its last 10 contests to move four points head of the Sarnia Sting for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Firebirds are also just a point back of seventh place Erie and have two games in hand on both the Otters and Sarnia.
As for Hayes, the 2004 birth year skater has been a standout for the Greyhounds since arriving from Flint. In 16 games in a Greyhound uniform, the 6-foot-2, 180 pound Hayes has hit for 13 goals, 11 assists, 24 points. In 27 games with Flint, Hayes flipped in 19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points.
The Greyhounds are currently in third place in the Western Conference standings with 75 points from a record of 36-16-3.