OHL trade deadline rehash
It was like a gust of a winter blizzard over the span of a few days. More than 15 deals got done just ahead of the annual Ontario Hockey League trade deadline, several of which can be termed significant.
Not only were a number of impact players transferred from also rans to contenders, a head shaking total of 85 future draft picks were exchanged.
Kingston Frontenacs — who have never won a conference championship let alone an OHL title and have missed the playoffs a whopping 16 times in a franchise history that dates back to 1973 — made multiple major moves that just might make them the favourites in an Eastern Conference that is flush with contenders.
Fearless Frontenacs’ general manager Kory Cooper spun the deal wheel to add three 2005 birth year skaters in forwards Joey Willis and Ethan Hay and defenseman Will Bishop from the reigning Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit as well as obtaining ace overage (2004 birth year) goalie Charlie Schenkel from the Soo Greyhounds. Of note, Willis played for the gold medal champion Team USA at this year’s World Junior Championships.
Cooper, as the Kingston GM, while giving up 19 draft picks to get Schenkel and the Saginaw trio, did recoup four selections in trades with two other teams.
Meanwhile, Greyhound GM Kyle Raftis did quite well in restocking the draft cupboard for the Red and White, which has slid to the depths of the Western Conference in recent weeks. In moving Schenkel to Kingston and world class, 2005 birth year defenseman Andrew Gibson to the Oshawa Generals, Raftis acquired 11 future draft picks as well as overage goalie Nolan Lalonde and 2008 birth year forward Brady T. Smith, who is a plum prospect.
Meanwhile, the Windsor Spitfires, who are chasing first place in the Western Conference while sitting well atop the West Division as the number one seed, made three efficient moves just ahead of the trade deadline.
Spitfires GM Billy Bowler added veteran 6 foot 3 forward Luke McNamara from Kingston for a draft pick then gave up four picks and a fringe defenseman to the North Bay Battalion for prize, 6 foot 5 , shutdown blue liner Wyatt Kennedy. McNamara and Kennedy both have 2005 birth dates with considerable OHL experience.
Bowler then concluded the Spitfires trade transactions by shipping 2005 birth year forward Ethan Martin to Oshawa for 2007 birth year forward Shawn Costello and a pair of draft picks.
Several other trades also highlighted the frenzy but in summary, it is Kingston that made the boldest moves by going for broke with the additions of the three Memorial Cup winners from Saginaw and a potential difference maker of a goalie via Sault Ste. Marie.