BREAKING: Spits, Rangers make blockbuster deal

by Rob Benneian

The Windsor Spitfires have dealt overage forward Nick Czinder, overage defenseman Jeff Braithwaite and a seventh round pick in 2014 to the Kitchener Rangers for Slovakian forward Juraj Bezuch and a conditional 6th round pick in 2013.

The Spits acquired overage forward Derek Schoenmakers earlier this week. The move left them with four overage players, one over the CHL limit.

The departure of Braithwaite and Czinder leaves the Spitfires with two overage players, so they may not be done dealing yet.

Teams are only able to carry two import players from outside of North America. With starting goaltender Jaroslav Pavelka (Czech Republic) entrenched in one of the two slots, the Spits waived forward Vladimir Ionin (Russia).

Ionin was drafted in the first round of the CHL Import Draft this summer and was expected to make an offensive impact in the Spitfires top six forwards, so this move certainly comes as a surprise.

Bezuch is 18 years old, 5’8″ and 165 pounds, and registered 21 points in 67 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League last season.

From a team release, general manager Warren Rychel said the deal worked for both sides.

“This is a good trade for both teams,” Rychel said. “Kitchener gets two overage players which they needed. We get a top-six forward who will upgrade our skill level up front.”

The press release said Bezuch would be in the Spits lineup Sunday when they take on the Sarnia Sting.

Warren Rychel, reached via telephone from Toronto where he is on a scouting mission said they would take a wait-and-see approach to finding their third overager.

“If we have a real deficiency, I’ll try to correct it,” Rychel said.

Rychel said the Spits have until Jan. 10 to add another overage player, but for now he was leaning towards letting younger players earn their ice time.

Of the import draft and subsequently waiving Ionin, he said the young Russian forward was a victim of circumstance.

“There were a few guys we wanted but it (the draft) fell apart quickly,” Rychel said. “We wanted a high-impact player.”

Rychel said Ionin would likely join a team in the United States Hockey Leasue and would be eligible for the CHL import draft again next season.

For Rychel, the move was about becoming more competitive right now.

“Our division is crazy tough.”