The North Bay Battalion have acquired forward Ryan Kujiwinski from the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for Battalion forward Jared Steege, and another prospect.
In Kujawinski the Battalion acquire another skilled forward.
The Iroquois Falls, Ontario native was a 3rd round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
In 27 games, Kujawinski has 13 goals and 10 assists, totalling 23 points this season with the Frontenacs.
The Battalion send forward Jared Steege and Battalion prospect Nathan Billitier to Kingston.
Kujawinski was originally the Sarnia Sting’s first-round pick, fourth overall, in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection.
“He’s a big, strong forward with good skills,” said Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach, who’s been busy through the holiday period in advance of the trade deadline Friday. “He upgrades our team.”
Steege, who has played left wing and centre, has six goals and six assists for 12 points in 34 games. The Cobden, Ont., resident, who turns 19 on Wednesday, was an eighth-round choice in 2013 from the junior B Arnprior Packers.
He scored five goals and added seven assists for 12 points in 48 games last season.
Defenceman Billitier, 18, is with Notre Dame of South Bend, Ind., in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Battalion, then based in Brampton, took the Spencerport, N.Y., product in the ninth round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection from the Rochester Stars.
The trade is the second in less than 24 hours for the Battalion who sent Evan Cormier and 6 picks to Saginaw in exchange for forward Nick Moutrey Sunday night.
New goalie on the way
The Battalion will be staying within their organization bringing in 2012 draft pick Jacob Kment to back up Jake Smith.
Kment was a 6th round piick of the Brampton Battalion that year.
Last season Kment played Junior B with the Essex 73's and has currently been practicing with a Junior team in Sault Ste. Marie.
