Spirit Acquire Parker Vaughan From Battalion In Exchange For Dmitry Savin

The North Bay Battalion have acquired import Dmitry Savin and a conditional 2030 fifth-round pick (SAG) from the Saginaw Spirit in exchange for forward Parker Vaughan and a conditional 2030 third-rounder (KGN).

The conditions on the picks are as follows: If Vaughan does not play an OHL game after 2026-27, Saginaw will receive their pick, while if Savin does not play an OHL game after 2026-27, North Bay will receive their pick. These are not mutually exclusive, one, none or both of these scenarios could happen.

Vaughan, 18, is one of the leading scorers in the OHL this season with 21 (6+15) points in 17 games. The fifth overall pick in the 2024 OHL draft by the Barrie Colts, the 6-foot-1 winger has developed into one of the Battalion's top players since a trade in the 2024-25 campaign.

The St. Thomas native will bring even more skill to a fantastic Spirit forward group, and his physicality will be a nice touch there as well. 

The Spirit needed to move an import with Nikita Klepov's return to the lineup, which forced Savin to be the odd man out. He's scored 11 (4+7) points in 19 games during his rookie OHL campaign after being made a first-round pick in this year's import draft.

The 6-foot-2 forward is versatile and strong, and can play centre or the wing. A prospect eligible for the 2027 NHL draft, Savin could really boost his stock if he breaks out into a bigger scoring threat with the Battalion.

To make room for Savin's import spot, North Bay has also sent import D Alexander Karmanov to Windsor in a separate trade.

Both of these teams have had their share of struggles this year, with each of them having just eight wins from their first 20 games. The Battalion have the advantage of being in the weaker East rather than the tough West, but both teams will hope this deal better positions them for the rest of the season.

It appears as though the Spirit are going for it, getting a year older while acquiring a very good player, while the Battalion are making a bit more of a measured move.

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