It's official, the North Bay Battalion are buyers.
The North Bay Battalion is bringing in the Leblanc twins, Andrew and Jacob, and Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis in exchange for 2007 birth year rookie forward and 2023 first-round pick, Carter Kostuch and import defenceman Alex Cajkovic, a 2nd round pick in 2027, a 3rd round pick in 2024, a 4th round pick in 2024, a 4th round pick in 2025, a 5th round pick in 2025 and a 5th round pick in 2026.
In Vilmanis, the Troops receive a 19-year-old Latvian forward who has 28 points in 30 games with the Sting. He also registered four points for Lavtia at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Sweden.
Andrew LeBlanc was a first round selection of the Kitchener Rangers in 2020. The forward has netted 9 goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 35 games with the Sting this season. Meantime, twin brother Jacob, a third round selection of the Rangers also in 2020, is an offensive defender who has 7 goals and 27 assists for 34 points in 37 games so far this season with the Sting.
“This move gives us a lot of confidence heading into the second half, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Sandis, Andrew and Jacob to our team and our community,” said general manager Adam Dennis in a release.
Kostuch was North Bay's first rounder, 21st overall has 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 34 games so far this season with the Troops.
Cajkovic meantime was taken in the second round of the CHL Import draft, 72nd overall in 2023. He's contributed 0 goals and 12 assists in 32 games this season.
The Sting, who sit fourth in the West Division, and already moved their star netminder Ben Gaudreau in the fall, have elected to be sellers after making the final four in the OHL last year.
“Today we’ve made a significant step towards building to our already strong young core," said Dylan Seca, Sting GM in a release.
"The players and draft picks acquired will help the hockey club climb back to a contending team in the very near future. We still also believe in our group's ability to be a playoff-bound team.”
