Windsor Spitfires Join In On The OHL Trade Deadline Action; Acquire Wyatt Kennedy From North Bay & Luke McNamara From Kingston

One of the most surprising teams this season in the OHL has been the Windsor Spitfires. After finishing second last in the league in 2023-24, they have undergone a remarkable resurgence, and currently are tied with the London Knights for first place in the league.

Related: Four OHL Teams That Are Shocking the League This Season

It looks like the Spitfires could be in for a long spring and GM Bill Bowler has picked up his phone and acquired a couple of veteran players to bolster the depth of their roster.

Their first move came on Wednesday when the team announced they had acquired four-year veteran forward Luke McNamara from the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round (Niagara) pick.

McNamara recently eclipsed the century mark for points in his OHL career and has played in 226 regular season games, split between Saginaw and Kingston. He has six goals, 18 points, and is a +14 through 36 games this season.

The Mississauga, Ontario native is a versatile forward who can move between center or the wing and a quality depth forward that will bring size and speed to Windsor's middle-six.

Luke took to his official X account to tweet out his excitement after being dealt.

The other deal Bowler made came at a more premium cost.

Windsor picks up right-shot, 6-foot-5 defensive defenseman Wyatt Kennedy from North Bay, further adding to their already rangy, big blueline.

Related: Kingston Makes Another Momentous Trade, Acquiring One Of The Top OHL Goaltenders From The Soo Greyhounds

Below are the full details of the trade:

Windsor Spitfires Receive:
RHD, Wyatt Kennedy ('05)
2024-25 season statistics: 36GP, 1G, 10A, 11PTS

North Bay Battalion Receive:
RHD, Adrian Manzo ('07)
2024-25 season statistics: 32GP, 1G, 3A, 4PTS
2025 2nd round pick (KIT)
2026 3rd round pick (BAR)
2027 4th round pick (BAR)
*Conditional 2027 8th round pick

Over the last two and a half seasons, Kennedy has solidified himself as a reliable, penalty-killing, shutdown defenseman in the OHL. Last year he took on a big role with the Battalion, playing top four minutes on a squad that was one way away from the OHL Finals.

Windsor has one of the best offensive teams in the league. They lead the OHL in goals (178) and need to make sure they can win those close, grind-out games in the playoffs. Bringing in the steady and veteran presence of a player with over 170 games in the league helps with that.

North Bay are rebuilding — as it was so evidently clear when they traded away star forwards Anthony Romani and Owen Van Steensel — and acquiring right-shot 2007-born smooth skating and efficient puck transporter defenseman Adrian Manzo gives the organization another young player to develop.

Battalion GM John Winstanley said this regarding Manzo as per the team's press release:

“He fits our style of play and will no doubt be a key factor in years to come for the Battalion. Adrian is a puck-moving defenseman with good feet who has the ability to contribute offensively.”

Related: North Bay And Barrie Swap Players In Blockbuster Trade

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