The Windsor Spitfires were looking for help this year and beyond.

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The Windsor Spitfires were looking for help this year and beyond.

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Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler hopes he got just that on Thursday in a deal with the North Bay Battalion.

The Spitfires acquired six-foot-five, 202-pound defenceman Wyatt Kennedy from North Bay. In return, the Battalion receive 17-year-old defenceman Adrian Manzo along with Kitchener’s 2nd-round pick in 2025, Barrie’s third-round pick in 2026 and Barrie’s fourth-round pick in 2027 along with a conditional eighth-round pick in 2027 that could change to a second-round pick if Kennedy plays an overage season in 2025-26.

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“He’s a guy who has  played a ton of playoff hockey,” Bowler said. “He’s a reliable defender with great character and a leader that played 28 minutes for his team the last time I saw him.

“There’s so many good qualities that we think he can help our team this year and, if he chooses to play the following year, he would be a great addition.”

With the Spitfires, Kennedy will be reunited with former teammate Tnias Mathurin, who was traded to Windsor in August.

“I shot (Mathurin) a text and he’s pretty excited and I’m excited,” the 19-year-old Kennedy said. “He’s a really good player and good person off the ice, too.”

The Spitfires brought in Mathurin to help improve the club’s defensive game, which allowed the most goals in the league last season. Mathurin has done his part and is tied for 13th in the league with a plus 20 rating while the Spitfires are fourth in the league in goals-against average at 2.97.

“I think I’ve really just been mastering the defensive side of my game,” said Kennedy, who planned to join the team in London and play in Friday’s game against the Knights. “I think I do bring a lot and will continue to try to master the defensive side. I’ve shown all year that I can play those top lines and can do it. That’s something I think I’ll continue to do.”

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The price for Kennedy, who wore an alternate captain’s A in North Bay, appears modest when you consider Brampton paid seven draft picks, including a pair of second-round picks, to get Windsor’s Konnor Smith, who is in his overage season, from Owen Sound.

“You’re always looking to improve your hockey club,” Bowler said. “You have to pay a price, but I think this can benefit us this year and, if we’re fortunate, next season. You always need a big body that can defend and has great character and I still think he has some offensive upside.”

A fifth-round pick by the Spitfires in 2023. The six-foot, 183-pound Manzo had struggled to find a regular spot among Windsor’s top six defenceman and had a goal and four points in 32 games.

“He’s an unbelievable kid with tons of potential, but to acquire older players it requires a lot of picks or younger players and that’s who North Bay was targeting,” Bowler said. “It’s sad to see Adrian go, but it’s an excellent opportunity for him to contribute on a regular basis.”

Kennedy now gives Windsor addition size on the back end to go with the six-foot-three Mathurin and six-foot-five Conor Walton.

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“He allows for different matchups with teams with more offensive depth,” Bowler said. “He’s a proven player and we become more versatile and a bit older and bigger with a more experienced player.”

While out of this year’s playoff picture, North Bay has been to the Eastern Conference final the past three seasons and Kennedy could help Windsor in its quest for a deep playoff run.

“It’s really important and I’ve seen it on our team with experience and how it’s really showed,” Kennedy said of North Bay’s deep playoff runs. “Guys like myself and Tnias have been through it and it’s an asset and we know what it’s like and what it takes.

“Being in the (Eastern Conference), you don’t see the (Western Conference) as much. I know (Windsor’s) a younger team with a lot of potential, which is exciting. I know they’re going to be a contender this year and in years to come.” 

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