The Spitfire continue their busy offseason by adding an experienced defender.

Yesterday, the Windsor Spitfires completed a trade with the North Bay Battalion that sent Tnias Mathurin to Windsor in exchange for several draft picks. 

"I've never been so excited going into a season," said Mathurin. "I have only heard amazing things about this team and the city of Windsor. I can't wait to get going."

In exchange for Mathurin and North Bay's 2025 13th-round pick, Windsor sent their 2025 13th-round pick, a conditional 2025 second-round pick (BRNT) aand two conditional (2026 4th-round and 6th-round) picks to the Battalion. 

The Battalion drafted Mathurin 41st overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He has spent three years with the Battalion though he only played one game during the 2022-23 season. 

Mathurin brings experience and defensive ability to a Spitfires squad looking to bounce back from a rough season. Mathurin is a defensive defenseman with good puckhandling and passing skills. He thrives when he can take control of the puck and move it ahead to forwards who skate the puck up ice. 

He is also a physical defender who does a great job taking the body and eliminating forwards on the rush and in the corners. As a result of his play, The Detroit Red Wings drafted Mathurin in the 5th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. 

Mathurin's experience and leadership will be a valuable addition to Windsor's locker room. However, with seven other 2004-born players on the roster, there will be some difficult decisions to make for the upcoming season.

"Tnias is an NHL-drafted player and a smooth skater," said Windsor GM Bill Bowler. "We think his presence and character will help our group. He is a solid defender that can play in any situation.

Mathurin joins a team that has made several moves to improve their roster from last season. Notably, they drafted Ethan Belchetz with the first-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection and signed USHL standout Ilya Protas. 

On the other end of the trade, North Bay added a group of picks that will be useful for adding more players to their system in the near future. 

Windsor fans can expect Mathurin to be a stabilizing force on the defensive side of the puck. His physicality and passing skills will help to strengthen the Spitfires' D-scorps for the upcoming season.