Kingston Has Sights On An OHL Championship After Trading For Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect & Shutdown Defenseman From Saginaw

Shortly before the Kingston Frontenacs splashed on acquiring Joey Willis from the Saginaw Spirit — in exchange for a forward and eight draft picks — the organization made a deal with the Spirit to bring in a couple of other players who were on their Memorial Cup championship-winning roster.

Kingston announced that they had acquired Saginaw captain and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Hay and right-shot defensive defenseman Will Bishop.

Related: Kingston Frontenacs Acquire World Junior Gold Medalist & Memorial Cup Winner Joey Willis From Saginaw In Gigantic OHL Trade

Below are the full details of the trade:

Kingston Frontenacs Receive:
C, Ethan Hay
2024-25 season statistics: 32GP, 8G, 5A, 13PTS, 55PIM
RHD, Will Bishop
2024-25 season statistics: 34GP, 3G, 9A, 12PTS

Saginaw Spirit Receive:
LHD, Xander Velliaris
2026 2nd round pick (SAR)
2027 2nd round pick (ER)
2028 3rd round pick (FLNT)
2028 3rd round pick (ER)
2028 3rd round pick
2026 4th round pick
2026 5th round pick 
2026 6th round pick (BFD)

The Frontenacs are fully committed and poised to chase the J. Ross Robertson Cup, drawing on the invaluable Memorial Cup experience of Hay, Bishop, and Willis to guide them toward achieving their own championship glory.

Ethan Hay — a 2023 seventh-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning — isn't the style of player who will consistently create scoring chances and dazzle you with high-end skill. He plays a straight-forward, detail-oriented, and reliable game, making him a perfect third-line center on a championship-caliber team.

He had a run-in with the league earlier this season, which saw him receive a five-game suspension, and the season has had its struggles for Hay. Alas, his defensive value come playoff time and his ability to shut down the opposing team's best players is what Kingston is looking for out of acquiring him.

As per Kingston's press release, “Ethan brings a ton of playoff experience and is a proven playoff performer. He brings a hard, physical, element to the lineup and is amongst the league leaders in faceoffs.” said Frontenacs GM Kory Cooper.

Related: Oshawa Acquires Canadian World Junior Championship Defenseman From Sault Ste. Marie

The other player Kingston acquired was the big, rangy 6-foot-6, 210-pound blueliner Will Bishop.

Bishop really came into his own last season with Saginaw, turning himself into a formidable and steady shutdown defenseman. He's adept at using his long wingspan and reach to angle attackers toward the boards before rubbing them off the puck to steal it. Additionally, he moves well for a big man and mobility isn't a concern.

“Will is a big defender who skates well and covers a lot of territory. He plays a big role as a penalty killer, and we expect that to continue here in Kingston. His addition gives us three balanced pairings on the defensive end.” said Cooper.

This acquisition was crucial for the Frontenacs as they needed an experienced right-shot defenseman who could handle tough minutes during the playoffs, which was something missing from their roster.

Related: North Bay And Barrie Swap Players In Blockbuster Trade

In the summer, Kingston traded former first-rounder Gabriel Frasca to Erie. They recouped six draft picks in that deal, four of those picks acquired were used in their two trades with Saginaw, displaying amazing asset management by GM Kory Cooper.

The Frontenacs have a very deep and well-experienced team now, as they look forward to what they are hoping will be a long playoff run, and a trip to Rimouski to play in the 2025 Memorial Cup.

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