OHL Deadline Top Performers

In this article I will be talking about newly acquired players that joined new OHL clubs and how they did in their first weekend with their new team. I will go as far back as Wednesday of last week when the Generals made the first move when they got forward Dylan Smoskowitz from Mississauga in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2016. 

First I will talk about Smoskowitz. It was a great pick up for the Generals as they get yet another forward who can put the puck in the net as well throw the body around which fits very well with the Generals system and how they operate. So all in all the Generals made a very good move in getting him as he had a very good opening weekend as he had 1 goal in 2 games played with the Generals. 

Secondly is a player who will not impact on the score sheet but rather benefit the team the most with his stellar defensive play and that is now Defense man Kevin Spinozzi of the Sarnia Sting. Spinozzi is a great defensive defense man as he does have a good shot when he lets it go but he is recognized for his gritty style of defensive play, hard nose style which works. Sarnia needed a good solid defense man for years to come and they found it in Spinozzi as he is a 1996 born player he will be around for at least 2 more OHL seasons. Good move by the Sting organization who have clearly started a rebuild. 

Stephen Pierog who was acquired by the Guelph Storm who are clearly going for it all this season as they have made some very big moves this season to compete with power houses Erie Otters and London Knights. Pierog will be a difference maker once he settles in with the team, but in his first slew of games with the Storm he played 3 games and did not receive a point in any games. I am confident that he will rise of occasion and play to his potential, good move by the Storm. 

As Guelph got Pierog someone had to be sent off as a result and that man was forward Hunter Garlent who is small versatile center who stands at 5'9 and is a 1995 born player which is good for the Pete’s as they will have to rebuild next year. Garlent made a instant impact in his first couple of games scoring a goal and assist in his first 2 games with the Pete’s. 

Joseph Blandsi for Eric Bradford? Fans across the OHL were very surprised to see this deal occur on Wednesday, but it has been the best trade pay off for both teams so far. I say that because Bradford now member of the 67's has played 3 games and has racked up 7 points (2 G's, 5 A's). As well Blandsi was not silent either as he also made a instant impact as he played 2 games with the Colts Blandsi has 4 assists currently with the club. Very pleasant surprises for the 67's and the Colts as their new players have walked in and quickly made a positive impact. 

Gemel Smith heading to the London Knights was no surprise to any fan in the OHL as the Knights are known for picking up that one player every OHL trade deadline. So far it hasn't been a successful move as Gemel Smith has played 3 games and has 0 points, no reason to panic if you are a Knights fan as Smith is a very dynamic forward who will find his game alongside Domi and the rest of the core in London. 

The last deal I will talk about was arguably the most shocking of all as Former Ranger Radek Faska packed his bags and headed to Sudbury to finish the season with the Wolves. If you are a OHL fan you knew it was obvious that come 12 o'clock on Friday you knew Faska would not be in Kitchener, but did anyone expect him to land in Sudbury? The answer is no. There were teams in the OHL with import slots open as well willing to move any import to get him as he is a total game changer. With Sudbury being such a hot team as of late, now having Faska is going to be very dangerous as they have been winning every game as of late. Acquiring Faska will only help them win even more. Very good move by Sudbury to pull this off. 

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