The North York Rangers made a massive move before the trade deadline on Thursday (Jan. 10) night. They added forward Dante Spagnuolo and defenceman Josh Rettinger from the Toronto Patriots for forward Cole Tucker.
Spagnuolo is one of the most talented forwards in the OJHL and CJHL. The former Patriots captain has registered 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points in 42 games. Last season was his coming out party. He recorded a league-high 66 assists and a total of 89 points. He was awarded the OJHL’s Most Improved Player and named to the OJHL second All-Star Team as well. In his two and a half years with Toronto, the Newmarket, Ont., put up 55 goals and 122 assists for 177 points in 153 career games. The 20-year-old becomes the third player on the Rangers that will be heading to Mercyhurst University this upcoming fall along with defenceman Joey Maziarz and forward Ashton Stockie.
Rettinger was currently in his second season with the Patriots. The 19-year-old has 18 points in 39 games so far. The former Flint Firebirds draft pick dressed for 146 career OJHL games and has 44 points. He has played for the Oakville Blades, Milton Icehawks and Patriots in the last three-years.
Tucker is the lone piece heading back to Toronto. In his first full season with the Rangers, the Toronto, Ont., native tallied 10 points in 39 games.
All the players will dress for their new squads this Saturday (Jan. 12) night against their former teams. That’s right, the Rangers travel a bit south to duel the Patriots. Puck drop is scheduled at 7:15 p.m.
