Gabriel Frasca reunites with his GTHL Mississauga Senators teammate Malcolm Spence in Erie
Gabriel Frasca reunites with his GTHL Mississauga Senators teammate Malcolm Spence in Erie
The Erie Otters started the day by moving out overage defenseman Spencer Sova to the Brampton Steelheads. However, they weren't done there.
Erie completed their second trade of the day by acquiring 18-year-old center Gabriel Frasca from the Kingston Frontenacs.
In exchange for Frasca and a 2028 10th-round pick, Erie sent six draft picks to the Kingston Frontenacs (2027 2nd (ER), 2028 2nd (ER), 2028 3rd (ER) 2028 4th (ER) 2026 3rd (SAR) and 2026 10th (ER).
The trade reunites Frasca with Erie Otters star and a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, Malcolm Spence. The pair won an OHL Cup together while playing for the Mississauga Senators in the GTHL.
That Senators team also featured Saginaw Spirit exceptional status center Michael Misa, Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson, and another top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, William Moore, who plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Frasca has played alongside talented linemates in the past and the opportunity to be the pivot and set-up man to Malcolm Spence could highlight Frasca's game more than it did in Kingston.
"Gabriel is a high-IQ, two-way player who not only makes plays with the puck but is responsible away from it as well," said Otters Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve. "Being a 2006-born player, the acquisition of Gabriel adds to our forward group not only for this upcoming season but in the future as well."
Frasca went undrafted this past June. His injury forced him to only play 44 games in the season where he accumulated 32 points and added one assist in five playoff games.
You can be assured that the six-foot, 170-pound center is motivated more than ever to prove to NHL scouts in the 2024-25 season that he deserved to hear his name called in the Sphere.
Will we hear his name as a potential overage NHL draft-eligible prospect in 2025? Considering he's the type of player who never cheats, plays the right way, and is detail-driven, I wouldn't be surprised if his game peaks in his new home with the Otters. But the point totals will need to increase significantly.
It has been a busy off-season for Kingston. The team acquired Tuomas Uronen from the Ottawa 67's earlier in the summer while also adding goaltender Nolan Lalonde from the Saginaw Spirit. The team will look substantially different heading into next season.
However, moving on from Frasca is a puzzling decision considering the other moves they've made this summer.
The team seems focused on remaining competitive and making it to the playoffs. However, their current roster may not be strong enough to be considered serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, trading away their former 17th overall pick could potentially weaken their team further.
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