Spitfires add size, strength to blueline with acquisition of Mathurin
The Windsor Spitfires added to their back end on Thursday morning, announcing the acquisition of overage defenceman Tnias Mathurin as well as a 13th round pick in 2025 from the North Bay Battalion.
Windsor exchanged a 13th round pick in 2025 as well as a trio of conditional selections including Brantford’s second round pick in 2025, a fourth round pick in 2026 and a sixth round pick in 2026. The picks are conditioned upon Mathurin playing one game during the 2024-25 regular season.
A former fifth round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2022 NHL Draft, Mathurin was part of a North Bay program that won three consecutive Central Division titles while making three straight trips to the Eastern Conference Final. He put up 17 points (3-14–17) and was a plus-26 over 51 games during the 2023-24 season before registering five points (1-4–5) over 16 playoff games.
“Tnias is an NHL drafted player and a smooth skater,” said Spitfires GM Bill Bowler. “We think his presence and character will help our group. He is a solid defender that can play in any situation.”
Formerly a third round pick by North Bay in 2020, Mathurin missed the 2022-23 season with a shoulder injury before returning during the playoffs. The 6-foot-3, 195Ib. defender has accrued 32 points (6-26–32) over 96 career regular season games with the Troops.
“I couldn’t be more pumped. It is an amazing opportunity; I’ve never been so excited going into a season before,” Mathurin said. “I have only heard amazing things about this team and the city of Windsor, and I can’t wait to get going.”
With Mathurin moving on, the Battalion currently feature overage options that include forwards Dalyn Wakely, Owen Van Steensel, Andrew LeBlanc and Brice Cooke along with Jacob LeBlanc and Trevor McDowell on the back end. Veterans Sandis Vilmanis (Florida), Ty Nelson (Seattle) and Dom DiVincentiis (Winnipeg) are all looking to turn pro having signed entry-level NHL contracts.
“Moving a really good player and good person like Tnias isn’t an easy decision,” said Battalion general manager John Winstanley. “As an organization, we have to start to navigate our overage players, and these decisions are difficult but necessary.
“We’d like to thank Tnias for everything. He wore the Battalion crest with pride. He’s left an impact not only with our team but in the community. Our entire organization wishes him good luck with Windsor.”
Adam Dennis, president and director of hockey operations, echoed Winstanley’s remarks.
“Tnias has been the ultimate Battalion, and we can’t thank him enough for his contributions. He’s been nothing but a true professional in his time here and has left a lasting impression on our community. We couldn’t have asked for a better person and player.”
Every once in awhile, big 6'3", 195Ib. shutdown guy Tnias Mathurin really turns on the charm ✨@OHLBattalion | @DetroitRedWings | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/6A3ig7HRdf
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 8, 2024
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