January 1st
Oshawa Generals
Michael Dal Colle '96
to
Kingston Frontenacs
Robbie Burt '99
2nd round pick (Flint) 2017
2nd round pick 2019
3rd round pick 2018
3rd round pick 2022
Breakdown
I applaud Oshawa these two teams for trading within their same division. The narrative of trading within your division will haunt you is about as tired and baseless as the world juniors being a 19 year old tournament so dont take superior players if they are younger.
The Generals move what is arguably the biggest piece on the trade market in Dal Colle. A 1st round pick of the Islanders. While Dal Colle has struggled this year with only 25 points in 30 games he is coming off back to back 90+ point seasons, has won a memorial cup and has 104 career OHL goals.
Kingston gives up Robbie Burt who they selected 11th overall in the 2015 OHL priority selection.Burt has 2 goals and 2 assists in 24 games this year and is coming off a season in Minor Midget in which he scored 26 goals for the Mississauga Rebels and won an OHL gold cup title with team GTHL Blue.
The Fronts had a very strong draft and with 2nd round pick Jacob Paquette and 4th round pick (and '99 born goal leader) Jason Robertson they were dealing from a strength. The fronts also have 2 more 2nds ( '16 '20) and 4 3rds ('16 '19-'21) over the next 6 seasons so they still have plenty of bullets left to further bolster their roster.
The Generals have done a fantastic job of restocking their draft cupboard after succesfully going all in last season. The Generals now have 6 2nds over the next 4 seasons and have added a 2nd 2015 1st rounder after trading their own 2014 1st round pick at last years trade deadline.
Releases
A day late as this happened last night but the Windsor Spitfires mutually agreed to part ways with OA goalie Garret Hughson and Import OA forward Marcus Soberg. This gives them great roster flexibility moving forward (as you will see if you continue to read) as they now have 2 open OA spots and an open import spot.
January 3rd
Trades
Windsor Spitfires
Luke Kirwan
to
Flint
Connor Chatham
2nd round pick (Niagara) '17
4th round pick '17
Breakdown
Windsor fills one of their 2 recently vacated OA spots by bringing in the 6'2" 225 lbs Chatham. Currently having his highest ppg of any season he is in his 3rd year. He has 41 goals in 136 career games but should be good for 10-15 for Windsor in the 2nd half of the season.
The bigger get for Windsor is the 2nd and 4th in '17. These picks can be used to further add to the roster whether it be adding a goalie or another OA skater or an import. You have to wonder how all in the Spits will be as they should be the favorites to host the Memorial Cup next season.
Flint Gets a player who hasnt lived up to the billing he had coming into the league. The crown jewel of the Kerby Rychel trade Kirwan is a player who had 13 points in 6 games at the 2013 U17 championship. He has struggled in Windsor picking up only 19 points last season and only 4 this season. The potential is still there so hopefully a change of scenery works out for him.
January 4th
Guelph Storm
Tyler Boston
to
Niagara Icedogs
3rd round pick 2018
Conditional 4th 2020 (If he plays next year)
Conditional 3rd 2019 (If he plays an OA season)
Breakdown
A week after he said he would walk away from hockey Tyler Boston was convinced by the Niagara Icedogs to give it another shot. The Icedogs improve their forward depth at a very good price which is something they will have to due with their limited assets.
The Storm pick up at minimium a 3rd round pick for what was considered a dead asset. It could turn into 2 more picks but for now even with just the 3rd they have to be happy.
January 6th
Hamilton Bulldogs
Stephen Harper
7th round pick (Barrie) 2016
to
Niagara Icedogs
Evan Krassey
2nd round pick (Wsr) 2017
2nd round pick 2020
3rd round pick (Wsr) 2016
5th round pick (Kit) 2018
Breakdown
Niagara fills their final OA spot with arguably the top available OA forward in Stephan Harper. The former 1st round draft pick of the Erie Otters will move to his 3rd team and 4th OHL city. For his career Harper has 198 points and 88 goals although this season has been by far his most successful as he is averaging over point per game with 41 through 37 while seemingly being on the ice for half of all Bulldogs games.
The cost is steep for half a season of Harper as they Icedogs now have 0 2nds over the next 6 seasons and only 2 tradeable 3rd round picks (Guelph conditionally owns the rights to another). The team will have to hit on some of their mid round picks coming up while they build up their draft cupboard for a future run.
Hamilton moves their most tradeable asset and receive a great haul. They get '98 born forward Even Krassey who has 1 assist in 21 career games albiet in limited ice time. In 11 games in the GOJHL with Fort Erie this year he has 5 goals and 2 assists. With enviable depth on the blueline for the upcoming season Hamilton can concentrate up front and Evan should be a key part in that.
In terms of draft picks the Bulldogs now have 6 2nds over the next 6 seasons and pick one up in 2017 a season in which the previously didnt have one.
This was a must make deal for Hamilton and while it no doubt hurts their playoff chances this year they would be hard pressed to avoid a sweep if they did advance.
As for Niagara they are right up there with Kingston as leaders in the East on paper and while id give the nod right now to the Fronts the Icedogs have 2.5 months to put it all together for their playoff run.
London Knights
Eric Henderson
to
Oshawa Generals
Jacob Graves
3rd Round Pick (KGN( 2018)
Breakdown
The London Knights move another surplus player in Eric Henderson a '98 who has split time between the OHL and GOJHL this season. In St. Thomas he has 18 assists in 13 games this season while 6 in in 16 games with the Knights.
Oshawa gives up OA defenceman Jacob Graves who will help add veteran depth to the Knights blueline. The 3rd round pick is just another asset that the Knights have picked up this season in moving surplus parts across the league.
The move gives the Knights 4 OAs so you have to think Jack Hidi will be on his way out of town by Fridays OA deadline.
Ottawa 67's
Travis Konecny '97
Sam Studnicka '95
3rd Round Pick 2016
to
Sarnia Sting
Sasha Chmelevski '99
Chase Campbell '98
2nd round pick (OS) '16
2nd round pick (SSM) '17
2nd round pick '19
3rd round pick (WSR) '17
3rd round pick '19
3rd round pick '20
5th round pick (SAG) '17
5th round pick (OSH) '19
Con 2nd round pick '21 If Konecny returns next season
Con 2nd round pick '22 If Konecny returns next season
Breakdown
A definite Mega-Trade along the lines of Tavares/DelZotto and Rychel/Ebert. The Sting fill their final OA spot and pick up the BIGGEST piece on the market in Travis Konecny. With the strong possibility that Jakob Chychrun wont be back next season now is the time for the Sting to go all in.
The 67's score a huge return with 2015 1st rounder Sasha Chmelevski headling the return who paired with the 67's 1st rounder Austen Keating will give Ottawa the 4th and 5th highest scoring '99s in the OHL. In Chase Campbell they get a highly regarded '98 who hasnt had the greatest success this year but put up strong numbers last year as a 16 year old on a strong Waterloo team in the GOJHL.
Ottawa now has 9 2nds over the next 6 seasons with the potential for 12 over the next 7 if Konecny plays next year and they get the conditional picks. The Sting meanwhile still have 2 tradeable 2nd round picks if they choose to upgrade the goalie position.
Release
Guelph Storm
Tyler Hill
The OA forward who came to Guelph in the Adam Craievich deal has been granted his release and will now play for Caledonia in the GOJHL. The moves drops the Storm down to 3 OAs but you have to imagine Nichols still gets moved even if it is only for a 5th round pick.
Kitchener Rangers
Mark Bzowey
The former Oakville Blades forward was never able to find his grove in Kitchener picking up only a handful of assists in parts of 3 seasons. He has found some success in the GOJHL this year where he is averaging more than a point per game with the Kitchener Dutchmen. Bzowey will now ply his trade with Chicoutimi in the QMJHL
January 7th
Trades
Flint Firebirds
Sonny Milano
to
London Knights
Conditional 15th round pick '16
( If Milano plays 1 game for London it becomes)
(2nd Round Pick (SBY) '19)
(4th Round pick (NB) '16)
Breakdown
Shrewd move by the London Knights. Low cost/High reward move. Those who cover the Columbus Blue Jackets have said that Milano has struggled in the AHL this year and have said a return to the OHL may be good for him. Last season in Plymouth he had 68 points in 50 games while at the most recent World Juniors he had 8 points in 7 games.
Flint moves an asset they thought they would get nothing out of. While there is no gaurantee that he will report to London (word is Sonny will have final say) the Knights are the most likely team he would report to.
Milano will help solidify the Knights depth up front at a fraction of the cost that other elite players will cost. By added all their extra picks in recent months they can afford to tie up some assets on a conditional basis leading up to the deadline.
The best part of this deal? Well its actually one of my favourite things about the deadline. It is watching people bemoan the London Knights and claim that every move they make involves money under the table.
Hamilton Bulldogs
Charlie Graham
to
Sarnia Sting
Kaden Fulcher
Breakdown
The Sting get their insurance for the playoffs while the Bulldogs add another piece between the pipes that looks to have a bright future.
In spite of the fact that they have allowed the 3rd fewest goals in the OHL there has been a buzz since October about the Sting making a move to improve their goaltending. For the longest time it seemed that Justin Nichols was destined to head to the chemical city. Alas it dont work out that way as they picked up an OA goalie who for his whole career has had to carry the load of a substandard team on his back. It will be interesting to see what Charlie Graham has with some talent playing in front of him.
As a Hamilton Season ticket holder I am excited to see what Fulcher can bring. He has had a cup of coffee with the Sting this year (3 games) but has spent most of his time with Hill Academy. He is a big athletic goalie who has taken great strides in his development since his draft year. He should form a formidable duo with Nick Donofrio for the next 2 seasons.
Waiver Claim
Christian Mieritz
Hamilton Bulldogs > Guelph Storm
Breakdown
One of 2 import picks made by the Bulldogs this past June that patrol their blueline. After trades this season for Gleason and Walters Mieritz slowly started to get squeezed out even with the injuries the Bulldogs have sustained. After being away from the team for a month with the Danish junior team the Bulldogs realized he was not in their future plans as can return Lemke, Candella, Webb, Walters, Gleason and Saban next season just for starters.
For Guelph this may fly under the radar but it makes a ton of sense for them. They no imports on their roster and rather than commit to making 2 picks in the next import draft they can see what they have in Mieritz to see if he is better than anything they can get with a 2nd round import pick. If it doesnt turn out they can make the pick and go along with their day. A no lose situation for the Strom that could pay dividends for them. Smart asset managment for a team that needs all the help they can get.
Mads Eller
Edmondon Oil Kings > Windsor Spitfires
Breakdown
Former memorial cup champion makes his way to the OHL after spending this seasons in the ECHL. The previous 2 years he spent playing with Edmonton where he played in over 112 games. A great pickup that doesnt subtract any assets from them as they look to host the Memorial Cup next season. This fills Windsors final OA spot and it also uses their final player card as they can no longer add any more bodies to their team.
January 8th
Trades
Guelph Storm
Justin Nichols
to
Oshawa Generals
3rd Round Pick '17
5th Round Pick in '18
Breakdown
Steep price to pay by the Oshawa Generals considering we are 30 minutes away from the OA deadline. Must have been another team atleast kicking the tires a bit (maybe Hamilton). The Storm backed themselves into a bit of a corner having 2 OA goalies and were atleast able to salvage 2 draft picks out of it.
Peterborough Petes
Cameron Lizotte
4th Round Pick (KGN) 2016
to
Barrie Colts
Brandon Prophet
Tyler Rollo
Breakdown
The Petes have moved '97 born rearguard Cam Lizotte after he informed the team he was stepping away from the game to peruse his passion of fashion design. He did state however he would be open to playing if he were traded to a team that had a post secondary program that fit into this scenario.
The Colts are that team who pick up a 4th round pick along with Lizotte. This is a shrewed move by the Colts as they get a 19 year old Lizotte next year and potentially an OA Lizotte in 2 years.
The Petes meanwhile get '96 born defenceman Brandon Prophet who has played over 200 career OHL games and should come back as an OA next year when the Petes should be primed to take a run in the East. They also get Tyler Rollo who is averaging over a point per game for the Oakville Blades in the OJHL. As a '97 he will add some much needed experience to the Petes and help add depth to their forward core.
Hamilton Bulldogs
Mason Marchment
3rd Round Draft pick (ERI) '17
to
Mississauga Steelheads
Luke Kutkevicius
7th Round Draft Pick '16
Breakdown
The Bulldogs move their final OA a player they picked up for a 4th round pick in October. Marchment will add some scoring depth to the Steelheads as they push to make a run in the East this season. Nearly a point per game player in Hamilton the Steelheads should be able to excpect similiar production on their team.
The Bulldogs get a former 2nd round pick who spent last season with North York in the OJHL. This season in Mississauga Kutkevicius has 11 points in 40 games. He will be another young body the Bulldogs hope they can develop going forward with their young core.
London Knights
Jack Hidi
to
Hamilton Bulldogs
10th Round pick '17
Breakdown
The Knights get to the 3 OA maximium at the OA deadline and pick up a late round pick. Considering most teams were full and that they knew London needed to get down they did good picking up a 10th. Someone who they can take a flyer on in the later rounds.
For Hamilton this completes the OA shuffle they have done the last few days. Having traded away Harper, Graham and Marchment for some very intriguing assets they pick up Hidi for a late round pick for the rest of the year. The Bulldogs did a phenomenal job of working the market and getting the most out of their assets and pick up an intriging part who will add some offensive help as they try to push Oshawa and Ottawa for the final playoff spot.
Owen Sound Attachk
Keenan Reynolds
to
Flint Firebirds
5th Round pick '17
Breakdown
Reynolds was a 4th round pick in '14 out of the Jr 67's program in the OEMHL. The '98 born winger is in his 2nd season. After picking up 4 points in 42 games last season Keenan has 1 goal in 20 games this season. A fresh start in Flint will do him well where he will be reunited with minor midget teammate Will Bitten.
Overall a fair trade for each team. Flint takes a flyer on a player who could benefit from a new environment while Owen Sound gets an asset for a player who didnt seem to fit going forwards. While he cost them a 4th round pick 2 years ago that is a sunk cost and the 5th received is good
value.
Player Commitments
London Knights
Daniel Bernhardt
Their 2nd round import pick from this past season. Was a New York Rangers 4th rounder in 2015. Has been playing in Sweden this season and has been loaned to the Knights by his club team.
January 10th
Sudbury Wolves
Matthew Menna
To
Flint Firebirds
7th Round Pick 2017
Breakdown
Sudbury has a surplus of goalies since they traded for Zack Bowman of these very same Flint Firebirds earlier in the season. With Timpano, Bowman and highly touted '99 Evan McGrath in the system it was only a matter of time till someone moved.
Menna will add depth to the goalie position in Flint and will have time to develop behind Brent Moran.
January 11th
Saginaw Spirit
Dylan Sadowy
Greg DiTomaso
to
Barrie Colts
Rocky Kaura
2nd round pick '16
2nd round pick '19
2nd round pick '20
2nd round pick '21
3rd round pick '17
3rd round pick '18
4th round pick (KGN) '16
4th round pick '18
5th round pick '20
con 2nd '22
con 3rd '23
Breakdown
While the East is winnable and the Colts have a great base with Blackwood between the pipes this is a rather significant cost. I like Sadowy and DiTamaso and feel draft picks are a bit overvalued but I question if this trade improves Barrie's chances enough to justify the cost.
The Spirit have a great young core to build around and now a boatload of draft picks to use to tweek this group over the next 2 years. A fantastic haul from their perspective.
Kingston Frontenacs
Brett Primeau
to
Windsor Spitfires
Future Considerations
Breakdown
Windsor adds depth by picking up a player who will be on a B card and thus only available on a call up basis. Primeau has played for Colbourg of the OJHL and Pembrooke of the CCHL this year. He will be sent to LaSalle of the GOJHL where he played last season. He is pointless in 3 career OHL games.
Guelph Storm
Robert Fabbri
to
Kitchener Rangers
3rd round pick '20
con 2nd '18 (SAG)
con 2nd '19
Breakdown
Kitchener takes a low risk flyer one a player who would be the best in the league if he were return. If you were to put a number on it you would say it is less that 1% but everyone seems to have powerball fever right now. If he were to be returned it would be a homerun. If not it only costs them a 3rd that is 5 drafts down the road and will be easy to recoup.
For Guelph this is a no brainer. You get a 3rd if nothing happens and if he does return you get an extra 2 2nds.
Sudbury Wolves
Chad Heffernan
to
London Knights
4th Round draft pick '16
Breakdown
London adds some toughness to their lineup with '96 born Chad Heffernan who has 180+ games of OHL expierience and 364 career penalty minutes.
The Wolves get a midround pick for a player who was not in their OA plans for next season.
Niagara Icedogs
Ryan Sarris
to
Windsor Spitfires
15th round pick '19
Breakdown
Sarris played 2 games for the Icedogs as a 16 yearold and has spent the rest of his time in the GOJHL and OJHL with Thorold, Whitby and now LaSalle. Like Primeau he will be on a B card and only available to the Spits on a call up basis.
For the Icedogs they are simply cutting their losses on a sunk cost as Sarris was a 3rd round pick that that couldn't break through with all the blueline depth in front of him.
Sarnia Sting
Hayden Hodgson
to
Saginaw Spirit
Devon Paliani
2nd round pick (Bar) '19
3rd round pick (Nia) '17
4th round pick (Kgn) '16
4th round pick (Miss) '18
Erie Otters
Frankie Pucci
to
Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds
10th round pick '17
Breakdown
Erie moves a player who had only played 2 games for them in 2 seasons and was not a callup during the Christmas break when Strome and Debrincat were overaseas.
For the Greyhounds they acquire some depth at a low cost and a local kid who was minor midget teammates with captain Blake Speers.
Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds
Keigan Goetz
to
Barrie Colts
2nd round pick 2021 (WSR)
6th round pick 2016
Breakdown
The Greyhounds move '96 born forward and former FA signing Keigan Goetz to the Colts for a pair of picks. It is good value for a player who may not have been in the Hounds OA plans and it was a price higher than what they would have gotten in the offseason.
For Barrie this move will fly under the radar compared to their earlier moves but Goetz was a key component on the Hounds 4th line last year and his energy and forechecking ability will be of great use to the Colts as they make a run for the East title this year.
Hamilton Bulldogs
Maurizio Collella
to
North Bay Battalion
Kyle Locke
con 12th round pick '18
Breakdown
The Bulldogs move a '97 forward for a veteran defenceman currently playing in the OJHL. From what I have heard the conditional pick is based on whether Locke comes to Hamilton. If he doesnt the draft pick will improve.
A low cost move by the Battalion who pick up a forward who has the potential to take another step under Stan Butlers system next season as a 19 year old.
Running Trade Count
23 Trades
- Draft Picks 46 (13 2nds 14 3rds 5 4th 6 5th 1 6th 3 7th 2 10th 2 15th 12 Conditional)
- 8 OA
- 11 '96
- 9 '97
- 7 '98
- 2 '99
