The Greyhounds were active at the OHL Trade Deadline, making two large acquisitions in Jacob Frasca and Gavin Hayes.
The Greyhounds were active at the OHL Trade Deadline, making two large acquisitions in Jacob Frasca and Gavin Hayes.
The Soo Greyhounds are vying to be contenders this season, after making two big-name acquisitions at the OHL Trade Deadline.
Gavin Hayes for Connor Clattenburg, Alex Kostov, & Four Draft Picks from the Flint Firebirds
The first big-name player that the Greyhounds picked up was Gavin Hayes from the Flint Firebirds. Hayes was hot-off the plane from Sweden, where he played for the United States at the World Juniors. Coming back with lots of confidence, Hayes has eleven points in his first six games.
Gavin joins his younger brother Travis Hayes in the Soo, where they will look to rekindle some brotherly chemistry on the ice. Older brother Avery Hayes won an OHL Championship with the Bulldogs, and now Gavin and Travis will look to do the same with the Greyhounds.
Gavin Hayes can shoot the puck, and he can shoot it hard. He has the ability to get his shot off from almost anywhere in the attacking zone, and can shoot in difficult situations. Hayes also possesses blazing speed, which is how he drives the puck.
Hayes steps in as a primary contributor for the Greyhounds, who don't have a pure-goal scorer up-front — until now.
Jacob Frasca for Brenden Sirizzotti & Three Draft Picks from the Barrie Colts
The second big-name is another player who has brotherly-ties in the OHL — Jacob Frasca.
Frasca is a solid, strong forward who can dominate with the puck and get into the inside with his size. He isn't easily knocked off of the puck, and he's a tough customer for opponents to handle in front of the net. Frasca brings lots of experience to the Soo, as the overage forward has been through several playoff runs with the Barrie Colts.
Frasca has a younger brother Gabriel Frasca, and an older brother Jordan Frasca who have both been through the OHL as well. Jacob has yet to sign a professional contract, and will likely look to do that over the offseason.
Until then, he will look to have one last kick-at-the-can with the Greyhounds to win an OHL Championship up north.
Justin DeZoete from the Guelph Storm
Justin DeZoete is a depth player that has been kicked around the OHL quite a bit. He started this season in Mississauga before being traded to Guelph, and now he is with the Greyhounds.
DeZoete plays with a lot of speed, he has a strong shot, and he can make plays in tight areas. He will be a source of secondary offence for the Soo, and will hopefully find his footing in the red and white.