Mississauga Steelheads forward Justin Dezoete has been traded to the Guelph Storm in return for a 7th round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection.
Justin Dezoete, Mississauga Steelheads forward, has been traded to the Guelph Storm for a 7th round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection.
Dezoete was a bottom-six forward for the Steelheads, who has bounced in-and-out of the lineup. He has put up 1 goal through 8 games to start this season.
The 2004-born forward was originally traded to the Steelheads last January from the Peterborough Petes in the Owen Beck trade. Dezoete had 23 points in 63 games in his rookie season with the Petes, but has had a steady decline from there.
If Dezoete can get himself into a bigger role in the Storm's lineup, he has the potential to be a very effective support player. He has tremendous speed and a high compete level, and will be the one battling in the corner and retrieving pucks.
Guelph's lineup is considerably young, especially inside the bottom-six. There is likely an opportunity for Dezoete to enter the top six, as he fits their competitive, energy-filled style of game.
With Dezoete out, Mississauga has room for rookie Kieran Witkowski to get in the lineup more often. Witkowski — the Steelheads second-rounder in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection — has 1 point through 4 games, and is yet to score his first OHL goal.
Witkowski played for the U16 Toronto Marlboros last season, on a very skilled team. He brings a combination of his two-way game and speed to the Steelheads, and should gain more experience with more opportunity to get in the lineup.