The North Bay Battalion have made a couple of deals.

The Troops picked up forward Matvey Guskov from London.

He says he played wing there but considers himself a centre.

” I always played centre growing up in Russia. I think I’m more of a two way centre,” he says.

The 19-year-old scored 16 goals and 14 assists in 62 games last season with the Knights.

Guskov says London has a lot of depth up front and that affected his ice time last season.

“I didn’t have that much ice time in London. I’m excited about playing more in North Bay and I’m looking forward to that,” Guskov says.

General Manager Adam Dennis says there are benefits to the team in this deal but for Guskov too.

“There’s a big mutual benefit. For Matvey, he’s got the goal of signing an NHL contract with Minnesota who drafted him and for us it’s winning hockey games,” Dennis says.

The Troops also received two future draft picks from Saginaw in a trade for defenseman Pacey Schlueting.

Dennis says they just had too many d.

“It gives Pacey the opportunity to grow as a person and a player for a team that values him. For us, some of our younger players will have an opportunity to cut their teeth in the league,” Dennis says.

The acquisition of Guskov means the Troops will only be choosing one player in the upcoming import draft.

 

Photo by Aaron Bell / OHL Images.

Filed under: North Bay Battalion