After clearing out most of their overagers in the last couple of days ahead of the Ontario Hockey League trade deadline, the Barrie Colts have made another big splash — this one involving a pair of 18-year-olds in high-profile forward Eduard Sale and defenceman Olivier Savard.
In a deal confirmed by the league Tuesday evening, Sale and Savard have been sent to the Kitchener Rangers in exchange for centre Kyle Morey and defenceman Blair Scott, both of whom are also 18, as well as a truckload of draft picks.
The picks coming back to the Colts include a second-rounder in 2026 (Saginaw), two third-rounders in 2027 (Kitchener and Windsor), two fourth-rounders in 2025 (Peterborough and Ottawa), a fourth-rounder in 2026 (Kitchener), a fourth-rounder in 2027 (Brantford), a fifth-rounder in 2026 (Saginaw), and a fifth-rounder in 2027 (Niagara).
Morey, who is in his second OHL season, has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 34 games with the Rangers. The Kitchener native, who is listed at five-foot-11 and 160 pounds, also has a plus-12 rating. He was originally drafted by the Owen Sound Attack.
Scott, who also hails from Kitchener, has one goal in 15 games this season with the Rangers. The left-shot defenceman is six-foot-one and 185 pounds.
“By bringing in both Kyle and Blair, we’re adding two players who are going to see an increased role and ice time compared to what they were getting in Kitchener," Colts general manager and head coach Marty Williamson said on the team's website.
"We’re looking forward to welcoming them both to our team when we get started tomorrow night in Erie and the coaching staff is looking forward to helping them continue their development," Williamson added.
The GM also thanked Sale and Savard for their contributions to the team.
With the trade, BarrieToday sports columnist Peter Robinson says the Colts "can start their rebuild in earnest."
Sale, who recently returned from the IIHF world junior tournament where he suited up for Czechia, had seven goals and 13 assists in 25 games this season with Barrie. At the world juniors, he scored three goals and added four assists for seven points in as many games.
Sale was picked by the Seattle Kraken in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
This season is Sale's first in North America following two seasons with his hometown Brno Kometa back in the Czech Republic.
Savard was also in his first year with the Colts, following two seasons with the Saginaw Spirit. He had two goals and four assists in 32 games with Barrie.
Also being moved out by the Colts in the last few days were captain Connor Punnett, forward Jacob Frasca and goalie Anson Thornton, who hasn't played in the OHL this season following an injury.
In addition to picks coming back in those deals, the Colts also acquired defenceman Thomas Stewart and forward Brenden Sirizzotti, both of whom are overagers.
The Colts sit in ninth place in the 10-team Eastern Conference, three points back of the Peterborough Petes and with two games in hand.
Tuesday evening's deal comes ahead of the OHL trade deadline, which is set for noon on Wednesday.
