Saginaw trades Zack Torquato to Erie

Zack Torquato is now an Erie Otter.

The Sault Ste. Marie product was not on the Saginaw Spirit roster for tonight's game against Soo Greyhounds.

He and two OHL Priority Selection picks were traded earlier today for Erie's Ryan O'Marra.

The following are news releases issued by Erie Otters and Saginaw Spirit.

************************* O'Marra sent to Spirit

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 - The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced today that they have traded Ryan O'Marra to the Saginaw Spirit in exchange for Zack Torquato as well as a second-round pick and a fourth round pick in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection.

The deal was officially approved by the OHL this morning.

Torquato, selected third overall in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, is in his second OHL season with the Spirit.

In 22 games this season the 17-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario had 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points.

In 87 career OHL games the six-foot forward collected 29 goals and 31 assists for 60 points.

Torquato, who was listed 13th in the OHL in the recently released National Hockey League Central Scouting preliminary rankings for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, is scheduled to make his Otters debut Thursday night at the Tullio Arena against the Belleville Bulls.

O'Marra was in his fourth season with the Otters and second as team captain.

In limited action due to injury this season, the 19-year-old forward collected eight goals and six assists for 14 points in 13 games.

In his Otters career the Mississauga, Ontario native registered 76 goals and 110 assists for 186 points in 201 games.

O'Marra is expected to make his Spirit debut tonight in Saginaw against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

The Otters (5-17-0-2) return to action with their annual Thanksgiving game on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against the Belleville Bulls (13-7-0-2).

Saturday, the Otters host the Kitchener Rangers (14-8-0-2) at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the games are available at all Erie-area TicketMaster locations as well as the Erie Civic Center Box Office.

************************* Spirit add top Erie forward O'Marra – Torquato heads to Otters

The Saginaw Spirit have acquired forward Ryan O'Marra from the Erie Otters, in a trade that sends Spirit 2005 first round draft pick Zack Torquato to Erie.

"This is a deal that benefits both teams, and both players," said SpiritHead coach and general manager Bob Mancini. In Ryan O'Marra, we acquire one of the top experienced forwards in the Ontario Hockey League, and Zack gets a chance to showcase his talent with a young and talented Erie team in his NHL draft year. On behalf of the entire Spirit organization, I want to thank Zack for his time in Saginaw and wish him the best of luck in his OHL career and beyond."

O'Marra was a first round pick, fourth overall in the 2003 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection and first round pick, 15th overall in the 2005 NHL draft by the New York Islanders.

He was named to the OHL Team for the 2006 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

The 19-year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario is expected to join the Spirit for tonight's game.

Ryan O'Marra:

DOB: 6/9/1987 (19 years old)

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Home: Mississauga, Ontario

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