The OHL’s trade deadline brought a flurry of moves. Though not as jam-packed with deals as in years past, the transactions that were made should make a huge impact for the teams involved.
Here are the top five difference-makers who were dealt leading up to the Jan. 10 deadline.
Kerby Rychel
From: Windsor Spitfires
To: Guelph Storm
What he brings to the Storm: A terrific scoring touch and an intensity that will help the Storm continue their torrid offensive output. Guelph has scored 209 goals this season, good for first in the Ontario Hockey League. Rychel has already scored three times in nine games with the Storm, who are just getting used to having their new star around after he spent close to a month at the World Junior Championship.
What the Storm gave up: Guelph sent left-winger Brody Milne, five second-round picks, a third-round pick, two fourth-rounders and a conditional 15th for Rychel and defenceman Nick Ebert. Milne is expected to do good things offensively for Windsor in the near future.
Gemel Smith
From: Owen Sound Attack
To: London Knights
What he brings to the Knights: One of the best finishers in the league, Smith can score in close from the half-wall. With 26 goals in 43 games, Smith is streaky, but also extremely dangerous. With the Knights already boasting forwards who can put pucks in the net like Max Domi and Bo Horvat, Smith compliments a balanced group up front that can turn a game around in an instant.
What the Knights gave up: Promising Edmonton Oilers draft choice and Waterloo, Ont., native, Kyle Platzer, as well as 2014 NHL draft-eligible defenceman Santino Centorame. Platzer was enjoying a breakout year with London in an increased role, scoring nine goals before being forwarded to Owen Sound, where he’s already collected two points in two games. “Santino is a quality, puck-moving defenceman and Kyle (Platzer) will help fill a top-six role down the middle on our team both now and in the future,” Attack general manager Dale DeGray said in a press release.
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Hunter Garlent
From: Guelph Storm
To: Peterborough Petes
What he brings to the Petes: A top-line centreman who’s a little on the smallish side, but has at least 1 1/2 years ahead of him in the O. He could return for an overage year as well. A team looking to the future, the Petes positioned themselves to compete down the road, and Garlent brings skill and a work ethic that may have gotten lost among the star power in Guelph. Garlent will take on a bigger role with the Petes than he would have seen with the Storm.
What the Petes gave up: Sizable forward Stephen Pierog, who is a year older than Garlent, and will fill Storm GM Mike Kelly’s need for an experienced, checking centreman. The Petes also gave up four second-round draft picks, the most common form of currency at this year’s deadline.
Radek Faksa
From: Kitchener Rangers
To: Sudbury Wolves
What he brings to the Wolves: Size, excellent play along the boards, and an ability to control the puck. He can also score quite a bit, too. The Czech Republic native, who recently played at the world juniors, had 27 points in 30 games with the Rangers, who he had to waive a no-trade clause to leave. He’s already notched three points in as many games with Sudbury. He reunites with ex-Rangers assistant coach and now head boss in Sudbury, Paul Fixter, and ex-Rangers goalie Franky Palazzese and forward Matt Schmalz.
What the Wolves gave up: Czech import forward Dominik Kubalik and two-second round picks. Faksa is expected to be in the Dallas Stars organization for his overage year, leaving the Wolves with half a year of his services, helping them try to claim the Eastern Conference. Kubalik had 13 goals in 36 games this year with Sudbury, and is pointless in two games with the Rangers so far.
Trevor Carrick
From: Mississauga Steelheads
To: Sudbury Wolves
What he brings: The Carolina Hurricanes prospect currently leads the league’s defenceman in goals, with 16. Carrick, 19, will help lead a Wolves team who have won eight of their past 10 games and have points in six straight. Carrick has two points in three games since the trade, and was the third star in a game against the Steelheads on Jan. 10.
What the Wolves gave up: Promising defenceman Stefan Leblanc, three second-round picks and a conditional third. Leblanc is a six-foot rearguard who is eligible for the 2014 NHL draft. The Wolves also received the rights to Bradley Bell and a fifth-round draft pick, along with Carrick, for the bounty. Bell is a Sudbury native playing in the NOJHL.
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NOTES: And finally, a name not traded for at the deadline but may be one of the biggest splashes of the season, Brendan Gaunce, the Erie Otters’ prime centreman, has been fitting in real well with the Otters. Gaunce has 10 goals and nine assists in 18 games with his new club, and filled in admirably when Connor McDavid had world junior duty in December and early January. The Otters boast the league’s best record at 34-7-2, and Gaunce has found success with Leafs’ pick Connor Brown and Canucks signee Dane Fox.
