Knights take advantage of another free agent signing, trading defenseman Julian Brown for draft picks and a towering 6-foot-6 defense prospect.
Former London Knights defenseman Julian Brown (18). Credit: Luke Durda/OHL ImagesShortly after the Owen Sound Attack traded away their captain, David Bedkowski, to the Ottawa 67’s, GM Dale DeGray picked up his phone and called up London Knights GM Mark Hunter to acquire 2006-born blueliner Julian Brown. Despite trading away their physically abrasive captain, clearly, DeGray didn’t want to become a softer team to play against down the stretch.
Below are the full trade details:
Owen Sound Attack Receive:
LHD, Julian Brown (2006) - 36GP, 1G, 6A, 7PTS
London Knights Receive:
Rights to LHD, Jacob Vandeven (2008) - 31GP, 7G, 14A, 21PTS (GOHL)
2028 3rd round pick (SOO)
2029 3rd round pick
“Bringing in Julian was a very easy decision after moving David Bedkowski to Ottawa. I think, on a very easy first glance, you will see similarities in both players. They both play a similar game, being bigger-bodied puck-moving defenders that have an aggressive side. Julian is one of those players that everyone knows when he is on the ice and to keep their heads up,” said DeGray.
The Knights signed Brown as a free agent during the summer after one season in the BCHL. This is a great example of asset management for the London team. Similar to their previous trade involving forward Ben Wilmott, who was also signed as a free agent, the Knights managed to bring in a quality everyday OHL player in the 6-foot-4 defenseman, and then traded him at the deadline for two high draft picks.
Brown will be familiar with a few names on Owen Sound’s blueline. He would’ve played against John Alex Banks and Lenny Greenberg in the BCHL last season.
Along with the two third-round picks, London secured an intriguing 6-foot-6 defense prospect in Jacob Vandeven.
Vandeven, 17, was drafted 89th overall in the fifth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. The towering blueliner has spent the last two seasons developing in the GOHL, playing for the St. Thomas Stars and Komoka Kings, where the Knights brass would’ve had plenty of scouting on him with prospects featured on both organizations.
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