The Windsor Spitfires did plenty of roster manoeuvring on Thursday, as the OHL club announced two separate trades.
In the first trade, the Spits sent forward Alex Christopoulos and defenceman Rodwin Dionicio to the Saginaw Spirit, along with a sixth-round draft pick in 2024. In return, Windsor will receive forward Valentin Zhugin, defenceman Roberto Mancini, Saginaw's second-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025, and a fourth-round pick in 2026.
General manager Bill Bowler said both Zhugin and Mancini will be big assets in Windsor.
"Mancini is a complete heart and soul defender that can play in all situations. He is exactly what we were looking for and fills a need," said Bowler. "Zhugin is off to a hot start, we expect him to continue to produce offensively. He is a player we liked for a number of years and we welcome him to our forward group."
Christopoulos scored six goals for 11 points this year for Windsor. Dionicio had been the team's top-scoring defenceman, with five goals for 20 points.
In the second deal, the Spitfires picked up forward Owen Outwater from the Kingston Frontenacs, while sending a 2025 fourth-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick to Kingston.
Outwater was drafted by the North Bay Battalion in the first round of the OHL Priority Selection in 2021. For Kingston this season, the 2005-born player scored two goals for nine points.
"Owen is a former first-rounder with a lot of offensive upside," said Bowler. "We think we are getting a motivated athlete that will produce in this league."
Windsor will take the ice Thursday night against the Owen Sound Attack at the WFCU Centre.
