The Steelheads' revamped their D-corps with three signings earlier this week.
Earlier this week, Brampton announced the signing of three OJHL defenders including Jared Harding, Alexander Stephen and Graeme MacAuley.
The signings continue a trend that sees more players transferring from the Junior A level towards the OHL.
Brampton is sub .500 in their last ten games with a 4-6 record. The slump has resulted in the team sliding down the Eastern Conference standings. They currently sit ninth in the Conference with 21 points.
Taken individually these are very interesting signings that will reshape Brampton's D-corps.
Jared Harding
Harding is a 2007-born player from Toronto. He has played multiple games for Brampton as an AP before the signing. He also played 20 games for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in the OJHL. He scored three goals and added five assists in that time.
Brampton drafted Harding in the seventh round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.
Alexander Stephen
Stephen is a 2005-born player from Brampton. He has spent the last two seasons with the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL. In 27 games this season, he has six goals and 26 assists for a total of 32 points.
North Bay drafted Stephen in the tenth round of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. The 19-year-old defender has proven his scoring ability in the OJHL and if that carries over to the OHL he could be a huge boost to Brampton's blue line.
Graeme MacAuley
MacAuley is a 2005-born defender originally from Calgary. Prior to signing with Brampton, he was the captain of the Milton Menace in the OJHL. He has 18 points in 24 games this season with Milton.
Brampton drafted MacAuley tenth overall in the 2022 U-18 Priority Selection. At 6-foot-0, MacAuley is an offensive defenseman who put up 75 points in 118 games played during his OJHL career.
Stephen and MacAuley joining Brampton is undoubtedly a direct result of the NCAA ruling. Under the previous rules, he would be burning his NCAA eligibility by joining Brampton. However, he now has the opportunity to prove himself against the top competition in Ontario and still earn a potential NCAA Division 1 commitment.
By adding these three defenders Brampton will revamp their D-corps to include more experience and offensive skill. It remains to be seen how this will impact the results they receive in games.