Spitfires are high on Toms
WINDSOR — Connor Toms has a good opportunity to go from being a fringe defenseman with the Soo Greyhounds to a stabilizing presence with the Windsor Spitfires. The 19-year old Sault Ste. Marie product is now a seasoned member of a rookie laden Spitfires blue line brigade after being obtained from the Greyhounds for a 12th round pick at the 2025 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Toms, who played in 120 OHL games with the Greyhounds after being a third round pick from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League at the 2020 OHL priority selections draft, is well known to Spitfires head coach Jerrod Smith.
“He is an experienced guy who we have gotten to see a lot of over the past few years,” Smith said of the 5-foot-11, 175 pound Toms, who is known as a puck moving defender. “He is going to get a great opportunity for us here in Windsor.
“I think Connor has got the ability to really help us,” Smith continued. “He can eliminate time and space with his feet and help get the puck into our forwards hands.”
As for Toms, he has been a healthy scratch for the Greyhounds for a number of games over last season and this one. And he welcomed the trade to the Spitfires, who are hovering at the bottom of the OHL’s West Division standings.
“I just think it was one of those situations where the Greyhounds had their mind made up and it was time for me to move on,” Toms told Postmedia. “We talked a bit and Windsor came up and the trade happened and I am super fortunate and excited to be with the Spitfires. I am just looking for a fresh start. It was tough leaving home but this was the right decision. I learned a lot from my time with the Greyhounds and I think I can help the Spitfires a lot.”
Meanwhile, Spitfires general manager Billy Bowler said it is up to Toms how much playing time he gets on the Windsor back end.
“Connor is player who we think can stabilize the defence a bit and create a little more competition,” Bowler relayed to Postmedia. “How he fits in and how he is used will be based on how he performs. But he does does give us some good depth.”
Meanwhile, Toms won’t have to wait long to return home and face his old team as the Spitfires are slated to play a pair of road games against the Greyhounds this Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at GFL Memorial Gardens.