The Windsor Spitfires got bigger on the back end Thursday afternoon, acquiring 6-foot-5 blueliner Wyatt Kennedy from the North Bay Battalion. The Troops received 17-year-old rearguard Adrian Manzo, three draft picks and a conditional choice in exchange.
Kennedy, who has been a steady presence on the Battalion blueline, had 11 points (1-10–11) through 36 games with the Battalion this season, and 37 (5-32–37) over 173 regular season matchups since being the club’s third round (50th overall) pick in 2021. The product of Vars, Ont., a small community east of Ottawa, recorded four assists in 24 career playoff games as the Battalion reached three consecutive East Finals.
“Wyatt is a big body with a veteran presence,” said Spitfires GM Bill Bowler. “He has played a lot of important games in the last few years, and we think he is perfect for our group.”
Kennedy joins another blueline acquisition from the Battalion in Spits defender Tnias Mathurin, who came over in a deal prior to the start of the season.
“Trading Wyatt was not something we were expecting to do heading into 2025, nor was it something that we wanted to do,” noted Battalion president and director of hockey operations Adam Dennis. “The new rules surrounding National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility have created uncertainty for some of the overage candidates for next season. It was made clear that there is a possibility that it was something that Wyatt may explore, so we needed to do what we felt was best for the club.”
Manzo a former U16 AAA standout with the Vaughan Kings prior to Windsor selecting him in the fifth round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, should fit right in with the Battalion.
“Adrian fits our style of play and will no doubt be a key factor in years to come for the Battalion,” said North Bay general manager John Winstanley. “Adrian is a puck-moving defenceman with good feet who has the ability to contribute offensively.”
The Battalion made an additional deal on Thursday, acquiring 2007-born defenceman Jonathan Kapageridis from the Sarnia Sting along with a second round pick in 2027 in exchange for three draft picks. Kapageridis, who had been playing for the OJHL’s Cobourg Cougars, made his OHL debut in North Bay’s 4-1 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs.
