Spits shake things up

 

by Rob Benneian

Windsor Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel was not going to sit around while his team continued to flounder.

The Spitfires have lost six of their last seven games, including three straight, and have been shut out in their last two games.

Less than 24 hours after watching his team drop a 3-0 decision at Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Mich. Rychel pulled the trigger on a trade that sent overage forward Derek Schoenmakers and defenceman Brandon Devlin to Peterborough.

In exchange, the Spitfires receive 19-year-old forward Zach Lorentz and 17-year-old defenceman Trevor Murphy.

 

“You’re getting a younger defenceman now in Murphy and if you get a little bit younger and similar play out of him it’s a good move for the future,” said NHL scout Craig Button. “Moving an overage player might open up the possibility to add another overage player. Lorentz is better served playing on a team that has a chance to be successful. Certainly in Peterborough this year that hasn’t been the case. Lorentz can come in and really give them a little bit of offence and a little bit of determination and competitiveness.”

The teams will also swap picks, with Windsor getting London’s sixth round pick this year from the Petes and Peterborough acquiring Windsor’s sixth round pick in 2014.

Schoenmakers had been acquired in a preseason trade with the Sudbury Wolves for two draft picks. His absence will leave the Spitfires short one overage player for the time being. Brandon Devlin had been playing primarily on a pairing with 2012 Calgary Flames second round draft pick Patrick Sieloff.

Murphy is a Windsor native that played for Team Ontario in last year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge held in Windsor and surrounding communities. In 83 career games with the Petes, the 5’10, 173-pound defenceman posted three goals and 21 assists with 75 penalty minutes.

Lorentz is no stranger to the Spitfires, having spent two seasons with the Kitchener Rangers from 2010-2012 before making his way to Peterborough this season. In 141 career OHL games, the 5’11, 195-pound centre has 30 goals and 23 assists with 36 penalty minutes. He put up career numbers last season for the Rangers, with 19 goals and 14 assists in 66 regular season games and another two goals and five assists in 16 playoff games.
“I think this a good trade for both clubs,” Rychel said. “Murphy is the key to the deal for us. He’s a skilled, puck-moving defenceman. We’re hoping our coaching staff can help Trevor realize his full potential. Zach is a kid we never liked to play against. He’ll bring speed to our forward group and he’s a guy we’d hope to have around for next year as well.”
Both players are expected to arrive in Windsor Friday in time to suit up versus the Saginaw Spirit.