The Saginaw Spirit were very busy before the trade deadline.
SAGINAW -- The Saginaw Spirit had a choice before the trade deadline, load up on more players and try to make a playoff run this season, or sell and try to build a team for the future.
They actually did a little of both. Saginaw traded away veterans Jamie Oleksiak, John McFarland, Anthony Camara, and team captain Ryan O'Connor.
In exchange, the Spirit brought in five new young guys: two forwards, two defensemen and a goalie. All of which should be around for at least two seasons.
And, they "didn't have to sell the farm," as some say, to do it. Brandon Saad, who started the season with the Blackhawks, and Josh Shalla remain on the team, as the Spirit try to salvage a playoff spot.
Saginaw is only three points behind Windsor and Sault Ste Marie with 20 games remaining in the regular season.
We caught up with newly acquired 16-year-old forward David Perkin at Thursday's practice.
"It's a great atmosphere here around with the boys," Perkin said. "So far I'm liking the coach; I've only heard good things about him. The organization is moving in the right direction. We are developing right now and I think I'm a big part of it and I'm happy to be here."
"We've got skill, good speed, and solid goaltending," Head Coach Greg Gilbert said. "Now we have to package it together. I think we have a lot of pieces to the puzzle here to create a championship team down the road, and a competitive team this year."
