SPITS ADD LEMIEUX FROM COLTS

Gritty Winger scored 41 goals in 2014-15

(Windsor, ON) – General Manager Warren Rychel has acquired Brendan Lemieux from the Barrie Colts in exchange for a package including Anthony Stefano.

The Spitfires will also recoup their 3rd round pick in 2017 in the deal, along with Barrie’s 4th round pick in 2020, while sending their 3rd rounder in 2019 and their 2nd in 2021 to the Colts.

Lemieux has played 175 games over four seasons in Barrie, putting up 83 goals and 58 assists along with 370 penalty minutes.

Originally a 2nd round pick (#31 overall in 2014) of the Buffalo Sabres, Lemieux, 19, signed with the Winnipeg Jets back in the summer, after he was dealt there as part of the Evander Kane trade.

“I feel like our team needed a shot in the arm,” Rychel said. “This is a situation where we were able to add a first line player and a signed NHL’er. We need to win our division and adding Brendan will help with our pursuit of securing the second seed in the Western Conference.”

Stefano, 19, played 50 games in Windsor after being acquired from the Peterborough Petes in January.

“Anthony has been great for us. He’s expressed his desire to get more ice time and to play in more key situations. He’ll get that chance in Barrie,” Rychel continued. “We were able to make this deal because we’ve got a deep pool of potential overagers next year, with Beaudoin, Chatfield, Sanvido and DiGiacinto among the possibilities.”

“This trade will help us this year and next year. We want our guys to learn how to win now with an eye toward taking a shot at a Memorial Cup title in 2017.”

Lemieux is expected to be in the lineup Thursday, as the Spits host Mississauga.