Spitfires bolster lineup with major trades for playoff contention

Windsor Spitfires in Windsor, Ont., on Jan.7, 2026. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)

The Windsor Spitfires have been busy ahead of the trade deadline.

The OHL trade deadline is Saturday.

General manager Bill Bowler made a big splash earlier this week and he took care of business Wednesday with the addition of an international level defenceman.

Bowler sent J.C. Lemieux and eight draft picks to Sudbury for forward Alex Pharand and Nathan Villeneuve.

Pharand is a 21-year-old 6’3” winger drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Villeneuve is a 19-year-old centre with a scoring upside, which is what this team needed with Ilya Protas not returning.

A second round pick of the Seattle Kraken, Villeneuve is now the team’s scoring leader.

To keep pace with other contenders, Bowler took care of the back end Wednesday, picking up defenceman Jakub Fibigr from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for Carter Hicks and three draft picks.

Fibigr is also a Seattle Kraken draft pick who played for Chechia at the recently completed world Junior championships in Minnesota.

The 19-year old had 24 points in 27 games with Brampton.

All three don’t have much playoff experience but they are older than the players traded away.

“In order to get older players that are proven in this league, it costs. And unfortunately, you know, we have to, let some players go that have bright futures are great players, great kids. But that’s the league we’re in. And that’s the kind of the business of the state of, how to improve hockey,” said Bowler.

The contenders are trying to improve.

Kitchener made a big splash today picking up London Knights captain Sam O’Reilly and Jared Wooley for a player and 10 draft picks.

The price is high because a lot of teams want in.

“We’re sitting in first place in our conference, knowing full well other teams we’re going to try to bolster their rosters. We’re no different,” said Bowler. “So the Western Conference is a beast and always has been, always will be. We’re hoping we can have some fun here in the next couple of months.”