The OHL Trade Deadline has been an exciting one for fans, as a ton of blockbuster trades happened. For example, Hamilton Bulldogs stars Logan Morrison and Ryan Winterton have gotten moved, Avery Hayes and Owen Beck have been sent to the Peterborough Petes, and now one of the brightest stars in the OHL, Shane Wright, has also been moved from the Kingston Frontenacs.
Shane Wright Trade
BREAKING: The Windsor Spitfires have acquired @SeattleKraken prospect Shane Wright and a cond. 14th rd pick from @KingstonFronts for Ethan Miedema, Gavin McCarthy, and 7 draft selections including 2 cond. picks.
📰: https://t.co/ZFTavknuyJ#WindsorSpitfires #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/ZObyBdvjBd
— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) January 10, 2023
In its entirety, the package that was sent to the Frontenacs includes three draft picks that belong to the Niagra IceDogs, one from the Ottawa 67’s, and one from the Sault St Marie Greyhounds. It also includes two conditional picks from the Bulldogs and the Erie Otters.
The most surprising part of this trade is the inclusion of forward Ethan Miedema. So far, Miedema has been a very solid forward for the spitfires, posting 31 points in 38 games, and is on pace to record 59 points this season. He should be one of the better forwards for Kingston, who desperately need a boost, as they are just barely below .500 so far.
On the other hand, the Spitfires want some redemption for last season. They came close to making the Memorial Cup, losing to the Bulldogs in the J Ross Robertson Cup Final.
Wright is a fantastic addition to an already stacked Spitfires Roster now that he is most likely staying in the OHL for the remainder of the season. Windsor was so close to not getting him, as according to Ryan Pyette, the London Knights were close to getting him in a trade, but were not willing to move defenseman Oliver Bonk.
With all of the moves the spits have made, they now have a very deep team and one that is ready to take on the Memorial cup. Although, teams like the Ottawa 67’s, North Bay Battalion and the London Knights could be a problem for the Spits when it comes time for the playoffs.
London Knights GM Mark Hunter on Shane Wright talks: “We weren’t going to trade (Oliver) Bonk. Period. It wasn’t happening.”
— Ryan Pyette (@RyanatLFPress) January 10, 2023
Context: The Massive Shakeup in the OHL
The Sarnia Sting made a great move acquiring forward depth in Ethan Del Mastro and Luca Del Bel Belluz in separate trades, sending to the Steelheads three higher-round draft picks, Porter Martone, and Angus MacDonell. the Sting isn’t too far from a playoff spot, currently sitting 8th overall in the league. the boost of Del Mastro and Del Bel Belluz should be a big boost to the roster.
Surprisingly, the Steelheads also traded Montreal Canadiens prospect and medallist Owen Beck,
The Bulldogs also have torn down their roster in preparations for a rebuild, sending away captain Ryan Winterton, and forward Logan Morrison. In the Winterton deal to London, Hamilton got back two picks and prospects. In the Morrison deal, they sent him to the red-hot Ottawa 67s, in exchange for a package of draft picks.
Don’t fret, the Bulldogs did something similar after hoisting the J Ross Robertson in 2018, and they went back to the finals and won last summer. this rebuild should take a few years, but ultimately they are expected to be good again soon, especially with the haul of prospects and picks they got in these two deals.
The Petes also made a bunch of big moves, acquiring Cam Gauvreau, Dallas Stars prospect Avery Hayes, and as mentioned earlier, Owen Beck.
The Petes have added some elite-level talent to the roster, and now they look even more terrifying as they gear up to make a massive push for the cup. They have to go up against some serious competition, however, as teams like Ottawa, North Bay, and Windsor could put up a serious fight.
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