OHL Trade Market Heats Up Ahead of Saturday’s Deadline
- Powerplay Sports
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
With the OHL trade deadline set for Saturday, teams made a big splash Monday making their intentions clear. Contenders across the league were active as front offices jockeyed for position in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open championship race. Several major deals involving Western Conference rivals and an Eastern Conference powerhouse caught plenty of attention.
Firebirds Go All-In
The Flint Firebirds made one of the boldest moves of the day, acquiring veteran forward Jacob Battaglia from the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for a hefty package of eight draft picks.
The 6'1 Battaglia, 19, brings experience and proven production to Flint’s lineup. In 237 OHL games, he has recorded 92 goals and 117 assists for 209 points over three and a half seasons. This year, the Calgary Flames’ second-round pick has posted 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 36 games, adding scoring depth and leadership to a Firebirds team clearly pushing for a long playoff run.
Paquette Headed East
Essex native Charlie Paquette is on the move to the Eastern Conference where Brantford is trying to re-ignite the momentum that carried them through the opening months of the season. The Bulldogs acquired Paquette along with a draft pick, sending two second-round selections and a third-round pick the other way.
Paquette has enjoyed a strong season, tallying 17 goals and 36 points in 36 games, and gives Brantford another offensive weapon as they look to solidify their spot atop the East.
Spitfires Make a Statement
The Windsor Spitfires was the busiest team, landing right winger Alex Pharand and centre Nathan Villeneuve from the Sudbury Wolves. Heading to Sudbury are J.C. Lemieux and eight draft picks, underlining Windsor’s win-now mindset.
“We have added two impact players to our group,” Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler told Powerplay Sports. “We believe we are a better team today.”
Pharand, a 6-foot-3, 198-pound winger and a fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023, brings size and experience. He turned 21 years old today and has accumulated 68 goals and 168 points in 293 OHL games.
Villeneuve, 19, arrives with significant upside. The Ottawa native was selected second round by the Seattle Kraken in the 2024 NHL Draft and has been outstanding this season with 16 goals and 44 points in just 28 games. He immediately becomes Windsor’s leading scorer, sitting one point ahead of defenceman Carson Woodall, who has 43 points.
More to Come?
Despite the flurry of activity, Bowler isn’t ruling out additional moves before the deadline.
“We will be looking at all options to improve our team,” he said. “The deadline is fast approaching.”
According to this report the Spits will bring a defenceman into the fold.
We'll see...for now, buckle up — It's going to be a fun week leading up to Saturday’s deadline.
Do you want a chance to see Pharand and Villeneuve play their first game in Windsor? Click the link and enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to Thursday's game against the Erie Otters. https://windsoressexsports.com/#win-spits-tickets
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