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.”
The Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Flint Firebirds have made some significant moves in the past few days, involving a total of 16 draft picks. These trades have caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, as they could have a major impact on the team’s future.
The Firebirds made a total of four trades, acquiring a mix of draft picks and players in exchange for some of their own assets. In one of the most notable deals, the team acquired three second-round draft picks and a third-round pick from the Windsor Spitfires in exchange for forward Ethan Keppen. This trade gives the Firebirds a total of seven second-round picks in the upcoming OHL Priority Selection, which could prove to be valuable assets for the team moving forward.
In another trade, the Firebirds acquired two second-round picks from the Ottawa 67’s in exchange for forward Cody Morgan. This deal adds to the team’s already impressive collection of draft picks and gives them even more flexibility when it comes to building their roster for the future.
Overall, these trades show that the Firebirds are committed to building a strong team through the draft and are willing to part with key players in order to acquire valuable assets. While it may be tough to see fan-favorite players like Keppen and Morgan go, these trades could pay off in the long run if the Firebirds are able to make smart selections with their draft picks.
It will be interesting to see how these trades play out for the Firebirds in the coming seasons. With a solid foundation of draft picks and some promising young players already on the roster, the team could be poised for success in the near future. Fans will certainly be keeping a close eye on how these moves impact the team’s performance on the ice.