Kingston trades Emmerton to Brampton

NEWS RELEASES

BRAMPTON BATTALION KINGSTON FRONTENACS

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Battalion acquires Emmerton in trade

BRAMPTON, Ont. – The Brampton Battalion has acquired left winger Cory Emmerton from the Kingston Frontenacs for two players and five choices in the Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection, it was announced Wednesday.

Kingston received Battalion forward Justin Levac and the OHL rights to right winger Thomas Middup. In addition, the Frontenacs got second- and third-round picks in 2008, second- and fifth-round selections in 2009 and a sixth-round pick in 2010.

The 2008 third-round selection was orginally Kingston’s and was acquired by the Battalion for overage right winger Matt Auffrey last Dec. 31.

“We had discussions with Kingston and were able to make a fit between the two teams,” said Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach, who came out on top in the sweepstakes for Emmerton, one of the OHL’s most desirable potential acquisitions.

“He’s a great player and he’ll be a great addition to our team. We’ve accumulated extra picks over the years and, as a result, we were able to make the trade.”

Butler said he expected Emmerton to be in the lineup Wednesday night when the Battalion visits the Kitchener Rangers.

“He’s going to be one of our go-to guys,” said Butler. “We’ll have to play around with lines around here for the next little while and see how it goes.”

Emmerton, a 19-year-old resident of St. Thomas, Ont., has 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points in 24 games this season.

In 188 games over three-plus seasons with Kingston, he scored 85 goals and earned 140 assists for 225 points with 68 penalty minutes.

A fifth-round pick in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection, Emmerton scored 17 goals and earned 21 assists for 38 points in 58 games as a rookie in 2004-05. He produced 26 goals and 64 assists for 90 points in 66 games in 2005-06. Limited to 40 games last season because of a broken ankle, Emmerton scored 29 goals and added 37 assists for 66 points.

The six-foot, 190-pound Emmerton was a second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League’s 2006 Entry Draft. He will travel to Calgary on Monday to take part in the Canadian national junior team’s selection camp.

Levac, 18, was a second-round choice in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection. In 106 games in two-plus seasons with the Battalion, he played all three forward positions, scoring 17 goals and earning 34 assists for 51 points with 55 penalty minutes. He had two goals and eight assists for 10 points in 21 games this season.

“Justin’s a very good two-way player,” said Butler. “He’s a guy Kingston really wanted. I wish him well. I think it’s a great opportunity for him. He should fit right into Cory’s spot on their first line.”

Middup, 17, was an eighth-round pick in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. He played one game with the Troops this season, earning an assist, before being assigned to the Aurora Tigers of the Provincial Junior A League. A longtime minor hockey teammate of Frontenacs centre Bobby Mignardi, Middup had eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 16 games with the Tigers.

“Thomas has put up good numbers in Aurora,” said Butler. “He’s a very skilled player who needs to play on the top two lines. He’s played for many years with Mignardi, and that’s one of the reasons Kingston wanted him.”

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Frontenacs move Emmerton

The Kingston Frontenacs traded team captain Cory Emmerton to the Brampton Battalion for 1989 right winger Justin Levac, 1990 centerman Thomas Middup who is playing with the Aurora Tigers in the Ontario Provincial Jr.A League, a 2nd round selection in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection, a 3rd round selection in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection, a 2nd round selection in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, a 5th round selection in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, and a conditional 6th round selection in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

“We believe that this is the best deal that we could make to help our hockey club,” said Larry Mavety Director of Hockey Operations.

Emmerton, who was drafted from the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs minor midgets, has played 188 games for the Frontenacs and was named to the team captaincy at the beginning of this season.

In return, the Fronts' acquire a third year forward in Justin Levac, who has 13 goals and 36 points as a 17 year old last year, and who has 2 goals and 10 points in 21 games so far this season.

“Levac is a solid two way player that will contribute immediately in terms of time on the penalty kill and a regular shift,” said Mavety.

Also acquired was 17 year old Thomas Middup, a skilled centreman playing with the Aurora Tigers. In just 16 games this season, Middup has 8 goals and 12 assists for 20 points.

“Middup played with Robbie Mignardi in Richmond Hill with the minor midgets and is a solid OHL prospect,” said Mavety. “ We look forward to seeing him in uniform this weekend, “ he added.

Further, a total of five draft choices were exchanged for Emmerton, two this season, two the following and one in 2010.

“We feel that this benefits the club now and into the future,” added Mavety.

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