Fort Erie Trades Ian Cole to Halifax for Ollie Maatta...

Ollie Maatta's new home in the CCHL

Fort Erie - September 8/17


In another strange twist of events, the Fort Erie Falcons made a transaction on Thursday to acquire 23-year-old defenseman Olli Maatta from Halifax in exchange for Ian Cole and minor league center Laurent Dauphin. 

"Ian Cole wasn't happy with his ice time.  He felt he had been in the league too long to be playing behind Jaccob Slavin and rookie Zach Werenski.  He asked for a trade" said GM Matt Young. 

"I've said it quite a bit in my time here.  If you don't want to be here, we'll make sure you find a new home." 

In Maatta, the Falcons get a defensively solid player that has had been plagued by the injury bug throughout his career.  The team is hoping that given his age, he will be able to play a lot of healthy hockey in the years to come. 

"Olli has had some bad luck.  He's 23 and has a decent frame.  I think it's only a matter of time until the health thing goes his way" added Young. 

Maatta wasted no time in suiting up for the Falcons, playing in Fort Erie's 6-3 victory in Parry Sound on Thursday night. 

When asked what he thought about his debut and new team, Maatta seemed pretty impressed. 

"I didn't play my best tonight.  I was a minus one.  A lot of travel to get here today so I know I'll be better as I get more comfortable playing with Seabs (Brent Seabrook).  I do like the way we play the game though.  We had 64 shots tonight.  We played good" gushed Maatta. 

How did Maatta feel about being traded to FOR? You be the judge...

With three full days off until their next game, the team is focusing on the defensive side of the puck. 

While Fort Erie leads the league in goals with 27 (no other team has 20), the team has given up 14 on the year - amongst the worst in the league. 

"We just aren't going to win a lot of playoff rounds playing this fire wagon hockey.  We have to be better for Gibby" said Blake Wheeler of his team's defensive woes. 

Next up for the Falcons are the Wisborg Donuts on Day 11 of the season.  This will be Fort Erie's second home game and the team will be giving out free donuts for every goal they score against Wisborg's solid goaltending.