By Alex Gallacher
Following the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) trade deadline, the Haliburton County Huskies have announced a significant move to improve the team’s defence by acquiring Simon Rose. The 20-year-old last played for the OHL’s (Ontario Hockey League) North Bay Battalion. He played five seasons with the Battalion, scoring 42 points with nine goals during his time in the OHL. Having a very successful under-18 career with the Pembroke Lumber Kings, Rose was named a top prospect ahead of the 2017-18 OHL draft.
The Ottawa resident was a highly sought-after signing and made the choice to come to Haliburton County.
“I’m excited to be here,” Rose said. “Things just didn’t work out in North Bay and coach Ryan Ramsay called up and brought me here to help the team win a championship. I know a lot of guys already like Christian Stevens, Christian Cicigoi and Nathan Porter from North Bay so I’m excited to be here.”
Ramsay, who is also the Huskies general manager, has been interested in Rose for a while and was ecstatic to bring in a quality player to the Huskies blue line.
“He was a guy who brought in some experience,” Ramsay said. “We’ve had him on our radar for a while now and it’s nice to get the guy you want. He had his choice of nearly the whole league. He is a puck moving defenceman with good insight. He is going to be a huge part back there for us for our run down the stretch.”
Vagenas joins Blades
In an unrelated move, the team traded Josh Vagenas to the Oakville Blades to free up some space on the roster. Vagenas had been acquired from the Milton Menace on Oct. 19, and since then has only started six games due to suffering an injury. Not wanting Vagenas to simply sit on the bench all year, Ramsay wanted to give him a chance to play this season.
“He is a good young player but he got hurt when he came,” continued Ramsay. “As a GM you see these kids every day and he is a good kid and I want to see him do well. We brought in Simon and I don’t want Josh to sit in the stands for the rest of the season. We figured it was crucial for his development for us to trade him and give him a chance to play.”
Huskies add centre
The Huskies have also signed centre Dylan Robinson from the Ottawa 67s. The 19-year-old played the last three seasons in the OHL, splitting time between Ottawa and Oshawa. Scoring 21 (nine goals and 11 assists) points in a combined 63 games, Robinson will wear No.52 while play forthe Huskies.
With the Ontario government’s return to modified Step Two set to end on Jan. 26, the team has been skating on lakes in small groups to keep ready. With the next home game to be played on Jan. 28, the Huskies will be looking forward to getting a strong start back on home ice