With the Overage Trade Deadline today at 12:00pm EST, four trades were sneaked in before the cut-off time.
Several teams were able to sneak in some last-minute deals before today's Overage Trade Deadline. Here are all five trades, with some context attached.
Oshawa Acquires Connor Punnett from the Barrie Colts for Thomas Stewart & Picks
The Generals have acquired burly, tough, overage defender Connor Punnett from the Barrie Colts. Punnett will be a huge piece for a potential playoff run for Oshawa, as he can eat a lot of minutes and intimidate opponents physically. It is rare that Punnett goes a game without a fight, or a couple of big hits.
In return, Barrie is bringing in Thomas Stewart, who is also an overage defender. Stewart doesn't play a ton of minutes in Oshawa, but will finish out his career among a young defence core in Barrie.
Windsor Acquires Pasquale Zito from North Bay
The Spitfires have acquired OA Pasquale Zito from the Battalion in exchange for three draft picks. Zito will return to the Spitfires where he once began his OHL career, playing two full seasons there.
Zito was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 2021, but was never signed. He currently has 27 points through 31 games this season with North Bay.
North Bay gets a 3rd round pick, a 5th round pick, and a 15th round pick in return. Windsor has been selling this entire trade deadline, so to pick up Zito is an interesting decision.
Saginaw Acquires Aidan Castle from Windsor for an 11th Round Pick
The Saginaw Spirit have made another trade, acquiring 2004-born Aidan Castle from the Windsor Spitfires. Castle will likely fill in as a bottom-six winger with the Spirit, especially with all the high-end players they have acquired.
In return, Windsor gets an 11th round pick.
Brantford Acquires Daniil Sobolev from Niagara for Callum Cheynowski & Masen Wray
The Bulldogs have made their first acquisition of the deadline, picking up Daniil Sobolev from the Niagara IceDogs. Sobolev will be a tough defensive presence for the Bulldogs, especially when the playoffs begin. Sobolev is a Montreal Canadiens draft pick, and has previous playoff experience with the Windsor Spitfires.
In return, Niagara gets two 2006-born players with Cheynowski and Wray. Cheynowski is a skilled offensive defenceman who can be used as a power play quarterback for the IceDogs. Wray is a speedy forward that will likely fill into their bottom-six.
Guelph Acquires Zander Veccia from Mississauga for Four Draft Picks
Veccia will pack his bags and go to Guelph, a team that is in a similar spot in the standings in the Western Conference. Veccia is not an overage player — born in 2004 — but his offensive speed and skill will be a great addition for the Storm.
Veccia has 29 points in 37 games this season for the Steelheads, who began the season strong but have fizzled out since then. In return, Mississauga gets four draft picks including one second rounder.