The Barrie Colts made their first significant deal ahead of the OHL trade deadline on Sunday night, sending Jacob Frasca to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for forward Brenden Sirizzotti and a package of three draft picks.
Along with the swap of overage forwards, the Colts will receive a second-round pick in 2024 (Flint), a fourth-round pick in 2025 (Kingston) and a third-round pick in 2026 (Kingston).
Frasca spent four years in Barrie, growing into a team leader and one of the team’s top forwards, playing on both the power-play and penalty-killing units as well as developing into one of the OHL’s best in the faceoff circle.
The Caledon native had 44 goals and 62 assists for 106 points in 166 games with Barrie.
“Anytime you move a player like Jacob, who has spent his entire career here in Barrie, is tough,” said Colts general manager and head coach Marty Williamson. “Jacob has been a great member of our organization since we first drafted him in the third round of the OHL Draft in 2019.
“We’re proud of how he has continued to grow his game and developed as a person, we look forward to watching him continue his hockey career and wish him all the best with the Greyhounds.”
The Greyhounds are tied for second overall in the OHL standings with the London Knights and are considered a serious contender to win an OHL championship.
The West Division leaders also acquired Chicago Blackhawks high-scoring prospect Gavin Hayes from the Flint Firebirds on Sunday for Connor Clattenburg, Alex Kostov and four draft picks, including a second-round pick in 2027.
“I’ll be a fan of Jacob and will be watching him and the Soo take a run at a championship,” said Williamson.
In Sirizzotti, the Colts will get some offensive help as they push to lock up a playoff spot in the second half. Barrie sits just three points behind the Peterborough Petes for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and holds three games in hand.
The six-foot, 193-pound winger, drafted by the Ottawa 67’s in the second round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, had 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points in 38 games this season with the Soo.
He was traded to the Niagara IceDogs in 2021-22 and had 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 39 games last season after being acquired by the Greyhounds.
“By bringing in Brenden, we’re adding a strong offensive-minded forward who has proven himself in this league as someone who can contribute on the scoresheet,” Williamson said of Sirizzotti, who has 53 goals and 85 assists for 138 points in 182 games. “We’re looking forward to having his skillset and veteran presence to our group. We look forward to welcoming him to Barrie.”
With Flint also unloading at this year’s deadline, the Colts could have three selections in the top-30 picks of this year’s 2024 OHL draft.
Williamson discussed Frasca with other teams and while the offer of picks was there, the Greyhounds adding Sirizzotti to the return helped complete the deal.
“We are happy with the trade,” said Williamson. “We get three top picks that help us down the road and get a good offensive player who will help us in the second half as we push to make the playoffs.”
The Colts are still looking to make other deals ahead of Tuesday’s overage deadline and Wednesday’s noon overall deadline.
“We’re still talking,” said Williamson.
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