Miners move a couple of veterans to make room for youth.

CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON):

It’s no secret that Sudbury General Manager Terry James is fully committed to a youth movement in the Nickel City. He was at it again on Monday afternoon, making a deal involving two veteran players in order to create room for younger players this year and beyond.

The deal breaks down as follows:

The Miners traded forward Wayne Simmonds, defenceman Sami Vatanen, prospect Giovanni Villati, along with a 10th round pick, 11th round pick and a 12th round pick (all 2019) to Fort Erie in exchange for Christian Dvorak, Kevin Bieksa, highly touted prospects Joel Farabee and K’Andre Miller, two 2020 draft picks (2nd  and 6th round respectively).

The key to the deal from a Miners perspective is the addition of a young, talented player in Dvorak. He is expected to slot into the top line with Vincent Trocheck and Sam Reinhart in time for Wednesday’s game versus Springfield.

“I think this is a good trade for both teams. Dvorak is a solid, developing center. We think he will do well for us. It’s never easy to part with players of Simmonds and Vatanen’s talent and character. They are proven players and will help Fort Erie a lot” stated James. “But, in taking a good look at our club, there comes a time where we have to start giving our young players opportunity to prove themselves and take on bigger roles at the CCHL level.  We are comfortable enough in our progress that we are prepared to do that”.

In prospects Farabee and Miller, the Miners are receiving two, highly touted players both of whom were 1st round picks in this past summer’s CCHL Entry Draft.

Farabee, a former USNTDP player, is in his freshman season at Boston University.  He is seen as a highly skilled player with a great motor and the ability to score goals while still remaining defensively responsible enough to be trusted to kill penalties.

Miller, who is also a USNTDP graduate, is having a standout first year at the University of Wisconsin.  A converted forward and physical specimen, Miller has outstanding two-way potential thanks to his athleticism and mobility on the back end.