The Ottawa 67's, a top contender in the Ontario Hockey League, opted for near-silence as the OHL's trade deadline passed at noon on Friday, January 9, 2026. This quiet conclusion followed a period of significant roster reinforcement in the weeks leading up to the final cutoff for deals.
Strategic Silence on Deadline Day
In the immediate hours before the deadline, the team announced just one transaction. General Manager Jan Egert secured a third-round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection from the Brantford Bulldogs. In exchange, the 67's sent 17-year-old defenceman Abe Barnett to Brantford. Barnett, currently with the U.S. national team development program, has committed to attending the University of Michigan.
This move was viewed as a savvy piece of business, acquiring a relatively high draft pick for a player whose tenure in the OHL was uncertain and potentially brief.
The Pre-Deadline Muscle Movement
The real action for the 67's occurred well before the final day. Under Egert, who officially assumed the GM role after James Boyd departed for a league vice-president position, the team executed a clear plan to bulk up its lineup for a deep playoff run.
In a series of deals, Ottawa acquired substantial size and physicality:
- Sam McCue, Nic Sima, and Teddy Spitznagel: Three large forwards, each standing 6-foot-2 or taller. Sima measures 6-foot-3, and the trio combines for over 600 pounds.
- David Bedkowski: A towering, physical defenceman described as having "range, mobility and strength." He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 220 pounds.
To build this more robust roster, Egert dealt a total of 10 draft picks across the various trades but managed to recoup seven selections. A notable return came when he sent 17-year-old former first-round pick Nathan Amidovski to the Brampton Steelheads, getting six picks back in that deal alone.
Building for a Championship Run
The strategy behind these acquisitions is unmistakable. With the 67's sitting first overall in the OHL standings, Egert's focus shifted to preparing for the grueling, physical style of playoff hockey. He explicitly aimed to add "robustness" to the lineup.
The new additions began integrating immediately, with Sima, Spitznagel, and Bedkowski in the lineup for a 4-2 road loss to the North Bay Battalion on Thursday, January 8. While the team debut didn't yield a win, the expectation is that these players will provide a significant positive impact as Ottawa pursues an OHL championship and a Memorial Cup title.
With McCue working his way back from an upper-body injury, the 67's have successfully transformed their roster composition in anticipation of the postseason grind, making their quiet deadline day a calculated decision rather than a sign of inactivity.
