OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Complete Third Trade in Eastern Conference with Deadline Looming

January 9, 2012 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Saginaw Spirit announce today they have completed a trade with the Niagara IceDogs sending defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to the Eastern Conference club. Also included in the package is the Spirit's 6th Round pick in 2014 (conditional). In return the Spirit receive defenseman Frank Schumacher, who returns to his original OHL team, and the rights to 1994 birth year goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos, and 1994 birth year Center Cristoval Nieves. Both Sakellaropoulos and Nieves are eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft, with Nieves highly rated in many mock rankings. The Spirit also add to the team's draft grid with this transaction obtaining Niagara's 3rd Round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, along with Oshawa's 3rd Round selection in 2012, Barrie's 2nd round pick in 2013, Windsor's 8th Round pick in 2013, and another 2nd Round pick, Sarnia's in 2015.

Schumacher has split his 2011/12 season with both Sudbury and Niagara recording two assists in 22 games. Sakellaropoulos has appeared in seven games this season for the USHL's Chicago Steel and is winless in three decisions with a goals against average of 3.75. Nieves is currently playing at the Kent School in Connecticut, and participated for Team USA at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Tournament this past August.

Oleksiak becomes the fourth member of the Spirit to move on to a team in the OHL's Eastern Conference with tomorrow's OHL trade deadline approaching joining John McFarland (Ottawa), and Ryan O'Connor and Anthony Camara (Barrie). Oleksiak posted 6 goals and 5 assists in 31 games played for the Spirit this season, his first in the OHL, after being the First Round Selection of the NHL's Dallas Stars this past summer. The Toronto, ON native will be joining four Canadian teammates from the recently completed World Junior Hockey Championship in Niagara in fellow Bronze Medalists Ryan Strome, Mark Visentin, and brothers Freddie and Dougie Hamilton.

Catch the Spirit! The Saginaw Spirit return home next Saturday, January 14th 2012 to take on the London Knights. Puck drops at 7:11pm at The Dow Event Center and in the Bud Light Blue Line Club will be live music from the Saginaw Elite Big Band! For all ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw. Tickets can also be purchased at SaginawSpirit.com or any TicketMaster Outlet.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2012


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