Blockbuster OHL trade
Trade season in the Ontario Hockey League has begun. And the Flint Firebirds have opened it with an explosive transaction involving six players and nine draft picks.
Flint has acquired forward Evan Konyen, defensemen Nolan Collins and Matthew Mania and the rights to junior A forward Joshua Colosimo from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for defenseman Gavin Ewles, forward Daks Klinkhammer and nine draft picks.
“We are thrilled with the players we’ve acquired in this trade, all of whom will help to make us better immediately,” relayed Flint general manager Dave McParlan. “The trades we made (this past season) have built up our stockpile of assets which has given us the ability to get these high end players. Making this move so early in the year shows ownership’s commitment to having a winning team.”
Konyen (pictured at left) will be entering what will be his overage season in Flint in 2024-2025 and has spent the past three years in Sudbury. He appeared in 55 games for the Wolves during the 2023-2024 season and registered a career high 23 goals along with 25 assists for 48 points.
Likewise, Collins is also entering his overage season and has also played the last three years in Sudbury as a 6-foot-4 defender.
Mania, who has a 2005 birth date, has also played three OHL seasons in Sudbury. He is a National Hockey League draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings.
Besides the players it is sending to Sudbury, Flint is parting ways with two second round picks, two third round picks, two fourth round picks, as well as fifth, seventh and ninth round picks. No less than six of the draft picks were acquired in previous trades.
Following is what Firebirds head scout Mike Oliverio had to say about the three veteran skaters that Flint acquired from Sudbury.
EVAN KONYEN: “Konyen will fit in with what we are trying to build. We want to play with pace and puck possession. He brings speed and skill along with being a lethal shooter. He has very good puck handling skills which aids his creativity as an offensive player.”
MATTHEW MANIA: “Mania is a right shot who is a creative puck moving defenseman and will add to our offense. He has the mobility to skate pucks or move pucks out of the defensive zone. Mania is a smooth skater which helps him excel in one on ones and he will add to our puck possession style of play.”
NOLAN COLLINS: “Collins will add size and grit to our team. He is defensively aware and is hard to beat and play against. He moves very well and has a good hockey IQ, shown by the way he uses his stick and reach, and will activate and add to the rush offensively.”
