Greyhounds swap defenceman for draft picks with Niagara

After going all in for a shot at an Ontario Hockey League title, the rebuild has begun for the Soo Greyhounds.

The Greyhounds have dealt defenceman Matthew Virgilio to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for four draft picks.

A former fourth-round pick of the Greyhounds who signed with the team in the summer of 2022, Virgilio spent two full seasons in the Sault.

The 18-year-old scored eight goals and 30 points in 128 games with the Greyhounds.

In return for the veteran defenceman, the Greyhounds receive a 2nd round pick in 2026 (originally Kingston's), a 3rd round pick in 2025 (originally Flint's), a 4th round pick in 2026 (originally North Bay's) and a 10th round pick in 2026 (originally belonging to the Greyhounds).

The 10th-round pick was originally acquired by Niagara from the Erie Otters prior to the 2024 OHL trade deadline for Charlie Burns (a Sault poduct). The Greyhounds originally sent the pick to Erie in a deal for defenceman Ryan Thompson in June 2022.

Virgilio signed with the Greyhounds that summer, deciding to forego a commitment to play college hockey at the University of Michigan in the process.