Blockbuster Deal for 67's Positions Club for Greatness
January 6, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release
OTTAWA - The Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League today announced a blockbuster trade that positions the team to rapidly grow to championship caliber and remain a top contender for years to come.
The 67's sent right winger Travis Konecny and centre Sam Studnicka to the Sarnia Sting in exchange for centre Sasha Chmelevski, winger Chase Campbell, three second-round draft picks, three third-round draft picks and two fifth-round draft picks. The 67's will also receive two additional second-round draft picks from the Sting if Konecny, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, returns to the OHL next season.
"Travis is a great player and leader and as hard as it is to let him go, the fact is we received an offer we couldn't refuse that will accelerate the process of building a championship team here in Ottawa," said 67's Jeff Brown, head coach and general manager of the 67's. "It's also a great opportunity for Travis and Sam to join a very strong club in Sarnia and help them try to win a Memorial Cup.
"In Chmelevski and Campbell, we have two young players with tremendous upside who can step into our lineup and contribute right away. I think the draft picks speak for themselves. We're now in great shape for the future."
Chmelevski, a 16-year-old rookie from Northville, Michigan, was selected in the first round, 10th overall by the Sting in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He scored nine goals and recorded 17 points in 29 games for Sarnia in the first half of this season. The five-foot-11, right-hand shot was also a member of Team USA at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge tournament last November.
He is considered a high-pick prospect for the 2017 NHL draft.
Campbell, a 17-year-old smooth skater and strong two-way player, was Sarnia's third-round selection (55th overall) in the 2014 draft, has seen limited playing time this season. The five-foot-eight, right-hand shot has two goals in 16 games, primarily in a checking role. Prior to joining the Sting, Campbell recorded 72 points in 31 games in his final season with the Triple-A Minor Midget Waterloo Wolves
Both Campbell and Chmelevski are expected to be in the lineup this Friday when the 67's host the Peterborough Petes at TD Place. Face-off is at 7 p.m.
During his stay in Ottawa, 18-year old Travis Konecny established himself as one of the top players in the OHL. Drafted first-overall by the 67's in the 2013 draft, Konecny scored 52 goals and recorded 183 points in 152 games, and was named captain of the team at the start of the 2014-15 season following his rookie season, in which he was received the Emms Family Award as the league's rookie of the year.
He was selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers and returned to Ottawa at the start of the current season. Recently, he played for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, in which Konecny's speed and tenacity garnered global recognition, despite limited ice time.
Sam Studnicka, a 20-year-old forward, had been one of four overage players on the 67's roster. His strong work ethic and skill level resulted in 16 goals and 26 points in 31 games this season.
"We thank Travis and Sam for their efforts in Ottawa and wish them well in the future," said Brown.
The draft picks acquired by the 67's in the trade break down as follows:
Second round in 2016, 2017 and 2019
Third round in 2017, 2019 and 2020
Fifth round in 2017 and 2019
The two conditional second-round picks, should Konecny return to the OHL next season, would be in 2021 and 2022.
The 67's make the first appearance at home of 2016 on Friday, January 8 against the Peterborough Petes at 7 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. Saturday matinee against the Mississauga Steelheads at TD Place.
Tickets are available from the 67's website or by calling 613-232-6767, ext. 1.
Youth hockey players in the Ottawa-Gatineau region can obtain free tickets to any 67's regular-season home game through the 67's Prospects program. Visit the 67's Prospects website for details, or call 613-232-6767, ext. 1.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2016
- Wolves Tame Hounds - Sudbury Wolves
- Sting Acquire Konecny & Studnicka - Sarnia Sting
- Blockbuster Deal for 67's Positions Club for Greatness - Ottawa 67's
- Lemieux Named December's OHL Player of the Month - Windsor Spitfires
- IceDogs Win 5-3 in the Battle of the Dogs - Niagara IceDogs
- Bruce Gets 10 Games Before Erie Visit - North Bay Battalion
- Dynamic December for Defenceman Dineen - North Bay Battalion
- Saarijarvi, Finland Earn Gold at 2016 World Junior Championship - Flint Firebirds
- Jacob Graves Traded - Oshawa Generals
- OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for December - OHL
- Knights Acquire Graves from Generals - London Knights
- Kitchener Rangers Announce Roster Move - Kitchener Rangers
- CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings - OHL
- Brendan Lemieux Named Precision Jewellers Player of the Month - Windsor Spitfires
- Storm Release Tyler Hill - Guelph Storm
- IceDogs Welcome Back Brianne Whitty as New Manager of Ticket Sales - Niagara IceDogs
- Bulldogs Aquire Krassey and Picks - Brantford Bulldogs
- Family 4-Pack Available for Sunday's Game - Sudbury Wolves
- Playoff Push Rinkboard Draw Open for a Limited Time - Peterborough Petes
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