The London Knights have made a trade in which the organization says was a “need for need hockey trade.” London and Niagara have worked together again as the defending Memorial Cup champs sent Noah Read to the Ice Dogs for Braidy Wassilyn, the number four overall pick in the 2024 OHL draft. “I think it was a good fit for both clubs, to be honest with you,” said Rob Simpson, Knights associate general manager. He added, “I think they were looking for a player like Noah that brings a little bit more compete, harder in the corners and drives. That’s more that kind of style of player where you’ve seen at times, we’ve had a little bit of difficulty scoring goals and creating offence. I think that Braidy kind of brings that to us. So, I think both teams are getting something that they need in their lineup.” Wassilyn, 17, has two goals and five points with Niagara in his second OHL season after scoring eight goals and 39 points a year ago. He’s projected to be an early-round NHL draft pick next summer. Read, who has returned from Anaheim Ducks training camp, has scored just one goal in 10 games this season. “On one side where we’re pretty excited and happy and on the other side a little bit disappointed and heartfelt that we had to move on from Noah,” said Simpson. “He was a big part of our OHL championship and Memorial Cup last year, so that’s never easy.” These two teams have been familiar trade partners in the past few seasons. It was just three years ago they swing a major deal which brought then fourth-overall pick Sam Dickinson to London for seven draft picks. Dickinson went onto win two OHL titles and the Memorial Cup with the Knights. “This trade was just about need,” said Simpson. “The fact that both teams’ kind of needed something and we both had players that we felt comfortable trading, I think that’s the case. It all comes down to need whoever you’re trading with, and this was just a one-for-one hockey trade,” he added.
