In a surprising move, the North Bay Battalion have traded defenseman Braden Wakely to the Barrie Colts in exchange for the Colts’ 2023 first-round pick and additional assets.
The trade, which was announced on Tuesday, marks the end of Wakely’s three-year tenure with the Battalion. The 18-year-old from Midland, Ontario was drafted by North Bay in the second round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.
Wakely has shown great promise during his time with the Battalion, recording 10 points in 57 games last season and being named to the OHL’s Second All-Rookie Team. However, with the team currently in a rebuilding phase, the opportunity to acquire a first-round pick for the future was too good to pass up.
In addition to the 2023 first-round pick, the Battalion also received a conditional second-round pick in 2024 and a conditional third-round pick in 2025. The conditions of these picks have not been disclosed.
This trade also marks a reunion for Wakely and Colts head coach Warren Rychel, who previously coached Wakely during his time with the Windsor Spitfires. Rychel expressed his excitement for Wakely’s arrival, stating, “Braden is a skilled defenseman with a lot of potential. We are thrilled to have him join our team and contribute to our success.”
On the other hand, Battalion general manager Adam Dennis praised Wakely for his contributions to the team and wished him the best in his future endeavors. “We would like to thank Braden for his dedication and hard work during his time with the Battalion. We wish him all the best in Barrie and in his future hockey career,” said Dennis.
The trade also provides the Battalion with valuable draft picks to continue building their roster for the future. With the 2023 first-round pick, the team has the opportunity to select a top prospect and add to their already promising young core.
As for Wakely, he will join the Colts for their upcoming training camp and look to make an impact on the ice for the 2021-2022 season. Fans will have to wait and see how this trade plays out for both teams in the long run.
