The Firebirds gave up a pair of picks to acquire Oshawa Generals goaltender Noah Bender
It was announced yesterday that 18-year-old goaltender Noah Bender is on the move from Oshawa to Flint as a result of a trade. Oshawa acquired Peterborough's fourth-round pick in 2027 and Sarnia's seventh-round pick in 2025 as part of the deal.
The newest Firebird arrives on the team after having filled the backup role in Oshawa last season. During that time he had a 5-3 record while maintaining a 3.26 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage.
While Bender has a year's worth of experience under his belt, he has seen little playing time as evidenced by his statistics from last season.
Prior to the trade Bender only played in one game for the Generals this year and that resulted in a 6-2 pounding at the hands of the Brantford Bulldogs.
Currently, Flint has three goaltenders on the roster. Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day is the clear starter having played in all but one of Flint's games so far this season. The 2005-born goaltender has played well, maintaining a 2.26 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Jacob Brown, a 2006-born goaltender is in a very similar situation to that which Bender found himself in with Oshawa. His only start this year resulted in a 6-5 loss at the hands of the Sarnia Sting.
It seems natural then that Bender joins the Firebirds in a depth role. He and Brown will likely be battling it out to see who can hang onto the backup role behind Day.
This is a crafty move by Flint that looks ahead to the future. While Day could still play for the team next year, Edmonton may decide to move him to the AHL. If that were to occur, Flint is now assured that they would have two experienced goaltenders to lean on.
This trade makes Flint much more flexible at the goaltending position moving forward as well as providing them with more options as they continue through the season.
For Oshawa, this trade will bring 2023 second-round pick Isaac Gravelle into greater prominence. The young goaltender will fill the backup spot behind mainstay Jacob Oster who is an overage player this season.
Gravelle has shown a lot of potential and has established himself as the goaltender of the future for Oshawa. The club will look to get him into more games so that he will be ready when Oster ages out next season.