The Windsor Spitfires have not completed their wheeling and dealing in the first week of 2023.
The OHL club announced on Friday its third trade of the week, sending forward Christopher O'Flaherty and defenceman Bronson Ride to the Niagara IceDogs, along with two draft picks. The Spits are sending their sixth-round pick in 2024, received from the Ottawa 67s, and their second-round choice for 2026.
In return, Windsor will receive forward Aidan Castle and defenceman Rodwin Dionicio.
"Aidan is a really good two-way player with solid Hockey IQ," said Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. "He can play in any situation, and he is a talented forward that can play anywhere in the lineup. Rodwin is a versatile defenceman with untapped offensive instincts. He is a world junior player with a tremendous upside."
Castle is from Mississauga and was drafted 13th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. This season, he has scored seven goals for 20 points so far.
Dionicio is from New Jersey and was taken 18th overall by Niagara in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He played 17 games this season for the IceDogs, scoring four times for seven points. He participated in the just-completed World Juniors on Team Switzerland.
Both O'Flaherty and Ride were drafted by the Spitfires in the 2021 Priority Selection. O'Flaherty scored 16 points over 80 total games in Windsor, while Ride had 12 points through a total of 70 games.
Windsor is back in action Friday night when they visit the Sarnia Sting, then home Sunday afternoon against the Flint Firebirds.