Spits Maletta dealt to Niagara for picks

With the Ontario Hockey League’s Jan. 10 trade deadline fast approaching, Windsor Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel has shipped second-year forward Jordan Maletta to the Niagara IceDogs.

In return the Spits will receive a pair of draft picks, including a conditional second round choice, which was previously London’s, in 2014 and a conditional sixth round pick in 2016. The second round choice will switch to 2013 if Niagara acquires another second round pick before April 1 and the sixth will switch to a fourth if Maletta plays 100 games for the IceDogs.

For Maletta, 17, it will be a home-coming of sorts. The six-foot-three centre was born in St. Catharines, where the IceDogs have played their home games since a 2007 move from Mississauga.

Maletta scored five goals and had 20 points in 57 games a year ago as a rookie. He missed 9 games with a variety of ailments and was hampered by a shoulder injury most of last season. He has four goals and 12 points in 36 games this season. At the time of the trade, Maletta had a team-worst -16 plus/minus rating.

(11:30) Edit to include press release statement from Rychel:

“We’d like to thank Jordan for his time and effort while with the Spitfires,” Rychel said. “He’s a class act on and off the ice. We wish him all the best with his hometown Niagara IceDogs.”

Maletta was drafted by the Spits in the first round of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection after putting up 59 points in 48 games with the St. Catharines Falcons Minor Midget AAA. He also played for Team Ontario in the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, which was held last December and January at the WFCU Centre.

(12:43) Updated with quote from Maletta:

“I enjoyed my time in Windsor, I had a lot of fun playing with a great group of guys and playing for a great organization. The fans were second to none and I’m definitely going I miss it but I’m excited to be a part of the Niagara IceDogs now and I can’t wait to play back at home.”

The Spitfires were able to recoup some of the picks they lost in August, when OHL commissioner David Branch stripped them of two first and two second round picks over the next five seasons, for violating the league’s recruitment policy. The Spitfires were also fined $250,000.

Koko coming?

OHL teams are allowed to carry two imports, players born outside of North America, on their roster. Since waiving Slovakian forward Juraj Bezuch Oct. 5, Czech goaltender Jaroslav Pavelka has been the team’s only active import.

That may be changing, as forward Alexander Khokhlachev is rumoured to be returning to the Spitfires as early as next week. He is currently competing for Russia in the World Junior Hockey Championship, which is being held in Ufa, Russia.

Canada and Russia will face off for the bronze medal Saturday, while the United States and Spits defenceman Patrick Sieloff will play defending champs Sweden for gold.

Khokhlachev played two seasons in Windsor, registering 145 points in 123 games before departing for Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. His father Igor is the general manager of Spartak.

Khokhlachev had 7 points in 26 games for Spartak, and four in six games for the Russian junior team.

The deal

To Niagara:

Jordan Maletta (forward) – 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points, 38 PIM, -16

To Windsor:

2014 2nd round – conditional (London)

2016 sixth round – conditional (Niagara)