The OHL’s Flint Firebirds parted ways with a jaw-dropping number of draft picks in two separate trades on Tuesday.
In their first move, they acquired Evan Konyen, Nolan Collins and Matthew Mania from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for two roster players and nine draft picks, including two 2027 second-rounders.
Shortly thereafter, the Firebirds sent seven more draft picks, including another 2027 second-rounder, to the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for Christopher Thibodeau and a 2028 fourth-round pick.
Here is the breakdown for all 16 picks the Firebirds gave up:
Sarnia’s 2025 fourth-rounder
Mississauga’s 2025 fifth-rounder
Flint’s 2025 ninth-rounder
Flint’s 2025 15th-rounder
Soo’s 2026 third-rounder
Soo’s 2027 second-rounder
Flint’s 2027 second-rounder
Kitchener’s 2027 second-rounder
Barrie’s 2027 third-rounder
Mississauga’s 2027 third-rounder
Flint’s 2027 fifth-rounder
Peterborough’s 2027 fifth-rounder
Flint’s 2027 seventh-rounder
Flint’s 2028 conditional second-rounder
Flint’s 2028 third-rounder
Flint’s 2028 fourth-rounder
Only eight of the picks traded originally belonged to the Firebirds.
Junior hockey, the OHL especially, is notorious for these high-yield trades. In the 2018-19 season when Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson was playing in the OHL, he was traded from the Kingston Frontenacs to the Niagara IceDogs for two players and 11 draft picks ranging from 2019 to 2024.
Tuesday was the first day OHL teams were allowed to make trades this off-season after the Saginaw Spirit won the Memorial Cup on Sunday.
“The trades we have made recently have built up our stockpile of assets which has given us the ability to get these high-end players,” Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan said in a statement. “Making this move so early in the year shows ownership’s commitment to having a winning team.”