Firebirds pick-up goaltender Noah Bender in trade with Generals

The Flint Firebirds added depth at the goaltending position on Monday, acquiring 18-year-old netminder Noah Bender from the Oshawa Generals in exchange for a pair of draft picks. Oshawa acquired Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2027 and Sarnia’s seventh-round pick in 2025 in the deal.

Bender, from Waterloo, Ont., appeared in 12 games with Oshawa last season, going 5-3-0-1 with a 3.26 goals-against average and .894 save percentage. The right-handed catching goaltender appeared in one game for the Generals this season, making 24 saves in a 6-2 loss at Brantford on Sept. 28th.

Oshawa drafted Bender in the 12th round (231st overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He spent his 16-year-old season with the PJCHL’s Wellesley Applejacks, backstopping them to a championship title.

SCOUTING REPORT FROM GOALTENDING SCOUT LUC LOBSINGER
“Bender has great size and moves really well, he has good feet for a big goalie. He’s a southpaw which can throw opposing skaters off. They are suddenly looking at a blocker that’s usually a glove and vice versa which can be an advantage for a goaltender. He brings a winning pedigree, coming from a team that won the Eastern Conference last year and we’ve seen him win a championship with the Wellesley Applejacks and be named the playoff MVP as a 16-year-old. We’re excited to give him an opportunity to be a part of our roster.”