The OHL’s Niagara IceDogs and Kingston Frontenacs pulled off a massive blockbuster Tuesday, with the IceDogs sending 11 draft picks to Kingston as part of the deal.
In return for that high price, Niagara acquired two-time 40 goal scorer Jason Robertson and defenceman Jacob Paquette. Going back to Kingston are defenceman Billy Constantinou and forward Ian Martin as well as the following draft picks:
Sarnia’s 2nd in 2019
Windsor’s 7th in 2019
Windsor’s 3rd in 2020
Niagara’s 13th in 2020
Peterborough’s 2nd in 2021
Niagara’s 5th in 2021
Niagara’s 11th in 2021
Niagara’s 2nd in 2022
Kitchener’s 3rd in 2022
Niagara’s 2nd in 2023
London’s 3rd in 2024
After reaching the Eastern Conference final last season, the Frontenacs have had a slow start to the season. Their 7-16-1 record and 15 points puts them last in the Eastern Conference standings and only ahead of the Flint Firebirds in the overall league standings.
Niagara, on the other hand, is in a fight with the Sudbury Wolves and Mississauga Steelheads for first in the Central Division.
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“This is a game changer. We addressed our two biggest team needs and added the best goal scorer in the league, along with an elite shut down defenceman,” IceDogs GM Joey Burke said in a press release. “We feel our depth is right where it needs to be to contend for a championship, and with this move we have put the pieces in place to really make some noise this season.”
Robertson, 19, was a second-round pick by the Dallas Stars in 2017. The Arcadia, Calif., native is coming off back-to-back 40-goal, 80-point seasons and is already off to a hot start in this campaign. In 24 games this season he already has 23 goals and 38 points, putting him in the top five in both categories.
Paquette, 19, was a seventh-round pick by the Nashville Predators in 2017. A defensive defenceman, Paquette is listed at six-foot-three, 214 pounds. He has one goal, four points and 17 penalty minutes this season.
“This was a very difficult and emotional move to make as I’ve witnessed both Jason and Jacob grow as hockey players and as young men since they were 16 years old,” said Frontenacs GM Darren Keily in a press release. “While we have added a great deal of picks, most important we have added another two young players to our roster that will be a big part of our future.”
Constantinou, 17, is in his second OHL season and has already set career-highs in goals and points. In 22 games this season the Scarborough, Ont., native has four goals and 15 points.
Martin, also from Scarborough, is also in his second OHL season. The 17-year-old has one goal and four points in 20 games this season.
