The Steelheads add to their defensive depth and add Reed Gee from the Firebirds, in exchange for three draft picks.
The Steelheads make one more trade before the holiday break, acquiring defender Reed Gee from the Flint Firebirds.
Mississauga acquires Gee & a 12th round pick (2024) for an 8th (2026), 11th (2026), and a 3rd round pick (2027).
Gee has been in-and-out of the lineup for the Firebirds this season, getting into 16 games and grabbing five assists. Flint has a considerably young defence core, and it makes sense for them to move on from one of them. Their defence is weak as is, and they may be preparing to make a bigger acquisition on the back end.
The 2006-born defender is utilized in pressured defensive situations, and he can be relied upon to lock down the D zone. Gee will likely be in-and-out of the lineup in Mississauga, but they are in need of defensive depth.
Rookies Luke Dragusica and Liam Spencer are young and in-experienced, and William Haley has never been able to staple himself into Mississauga's lineup. Gee will add another layer of reliability in the depth chart.
Dragusica was recently suspended as well, which leaves a hole in the lineup. This forces one of their other in-experienced defenders jump into the lineup, in a role they aren't used to. Gee has experience being the 7th defender in the OHL, and being ready to jump in and make an impact at any moment.
Gee is eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft in Nashville, and a new opportunity may be all he needs.
Don't be surprised if we see the Firebirds make an acquisition or two on the blue line before the OHL trade deadline on January 10th, 2024.