Rangers, Bulldogs and Storm make major moves ahead of OHL trade deadline

The newly renovated space for the Kitchener Rangers at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex (The Aud). Sept. 15, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News)

A flurry of high-profile trades across the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has reshaped rosters, with the Kitchener Rangers, Brantford Bulldogs and Guelph Storm making significant moves.

The Rangers acquired centre Sam O’Reilly and defenceman Jared Woolley from the London Knights in exchange for defenceman Jacob Xu, plus two draft picks per year from 2026 to 2029.

“Making trades like this never guarantees anything, but we wanted to put ourselves in the best position this year,” explained General Manager Mike McKenzie in a media release. “We feel Sam and Jared were the two top players on the trade market this year. They both bring experience and a style of play that will help our group immensely.”

O’Reilly, who was named captain of the London Knights earlier this season, recorded 155 points in 163 regular-season OHL games. The 19-year-old already has a pretty impressive resume which includes back-to-back OHL championships (2024 and 2025) and the 2025 Memorial Cup championship.

O’Reilly was also picked up by the Edmonton Oilers in the first-round of the 2024 NHL entry draft and is currently a prospect for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Woolley, a 6′5″ defenceman and Los Angeles Kings prospect, will add size and strength to the Rangers’ blue line. The 19-year-old has skated in 142 OHL games and is having his best offensive season to date.

Earlier, Kitchener traded their rights to forward Kane Barch and their own 15th-round pick in 2017.

Barch was selected in the first round of 2025 OHL Priority Selection and is currently playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

On Jan. 6, the Rangers moved overage import defenceman Jakub Chromiak to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for a second-round pick in 2027 and a third-round pick in 2028.

The Guelph Storm, meantime, traded longtime forward Charlie Paquette and a third-round pick in 2026 to the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for three draft selections: a 2027 second-round pick (Brantford), a 2028 second-round pick (Kingston) and a 2029 third-round pick (Ottawa).

“With the Storm hosting the Memorial Cup in 2026-27, this was the right move for the organization but a very difficult move at the same time,” explained General Manager George Burnett in a media release. “Charlie has made significant improvement within his game and has made a very positive impact in the community during his time in Guelph.”

Paquette, a former Storm captain, was selected 31st overall in 2021 OHL Priority Selection and recorded 165 points in 294 games over five seasons in Guelph, placing him third for games played in franchise history. The forward was also selected by the Dallas Stars in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

The Storm also announced they acquired forward Joshua Avery from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2028 and a fourth-round draft pick in 2027 OHL Priority Selection.

Brantford continued to build their roster by acquiring forward Gabriel Frasca from the Erie Otters in exchange for four future draft picks: a fourth-round pick in 2027, two second-round picks in 2028 and 2029, plus a sixth-round pick in 2029.

Frasca served as captain for Otters this past season and recorded 39 points over 37 games.

“Gabe Frasca is an extremely underrated player who brings leadership and versatility to our group,” said General Manager Spencer Hyman in a media release. “He can play centre or wing, is a shooter with a heavy shot, and he hunts pucks all over the ice. He competes every night and is someone we value very highly. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Brantford.”

The OHL trade deadline is at noon Thursday.