Battalion acquires Brice Cooke
The North Bay Battalion added some experience on the wing Monday afternoon, acquiring 19-year-old Brice Cooke from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Owen Sound’s sixth round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
A 6-foot-3, 190Ib. left-wing from Orangeville, Ont., Cooke joins the Battalion after recording 11 points (6-5–11) over 66 games with the Steelheads in 2022-23, a step back from the production he yielded in his first year with the Niagara IceDogs, recording 28 points (18-10–28) in 2021-22.
“Brice is a player we’ve been familiar with since his draft year,” said Battalion general manager Adam Dennis. “Him playing alongside Ty (Nelson) and Dom (DiVincentiis) under the guidance of (assistant GM) John Winstanley gave us enough to take a chance on a player who we feel had an off-year.
“Knowing the type of teammate he is and the upside that he possesses, it was a no-brainer of a decision for us. He has a lot left to prove in this league, and we’re looking forward to giving him a chance to earn it.”
Cooke entered the league as Niagara’s second round (33rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 program.
The Battalion loses some key names up front heading into the new season, looking to fill minutes left by departing veterans Kyle McDonald, Kyle Jackson, Matvey Petrov and Josh Bloom.
Cooke joins the Troops as one of 57 players in camp with the club to start the preseason.
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