London Knights hang onto overagers amid OHL trade deadline frenzy

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No matter what happens between now and Friday at noon, the London Knights remain the favourites to defend their Ontario Hockey League title.

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That has been the case since the Toronto Maple Leafs sent back Easton Cowan and Kasper Halttunen was returned by the San Jose Sharks in the fall. Those moves set London’s course and ensured the Knights didn’t have to get crazy in the current high-priced market to seek additional talent before the trade deadline passes.

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On Thursday, they held onto their overagers – 20-year-old forwards Jacob Julien and Landon Sim and goaltender Austin Elliott.

Sim has consistently provided energy, intensity and timely scoring with the added bonus of being able to play up and down the lineup. Julien didn’t have the best start after a quick look at Winnipeg Jets camp, but he has played some of his best hockey lately and is on track for a big second half and post-season.

Elliott, the former Western leaguer with Saskatoon, arrived in a minor trade through an orchestrated Barrie Colts waiver claim. It’s been one of the most productive pickups in major junior hockey to date.

The netminder earned his share of the Knights crease with a 16-0 record, a 2.28 goals against average and .918 save percentage so far. He was 3-0 with the Blades before he left, too.

“We did a lot of video work and research about him,” London associate GM Rob Simpson said. “There was a lot of positive feedback. When we got him, he knew what was at stake. He had played in front of 12,000 people before and had a young guy come in and take some of his starts. Whenever you go through a situation like that and have the type of character Austin has, it’s going to strengthen you.

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“Next time you’re given that opportunity, you’ll be able to seize the moment.”

Elliott has formed a terrific tandem with rookie Aleksei Medvedev. But the biggest thing for him will be to prove he can win in the playoffs.

“We’re blessed we have two very good goalies this year,” Simpson said.

Last month, the Knights bolstered their blue line with Cam Allen, the former Guelph d-man who has shown why he was in the Canadian world junior mix. The price was 17-year-old rearguard Noah Jenken and seven draft picks.

“There aren’t many premium D and most of the team that have them are going for it,” Simpson said. “It’s hard to find elite defencemen. We felt comfortable with making that trade. We were able to get him in before Christmas and we’ll see how it ends up in the playoffs.”

The Knights also brought in high-scoring Blake Montgomery and 18-year-old defenceman Andoni Fimis along the way. Those were two players who likely wouldn’t be here if not for the NCAA’s change of heart on major junior eligibility.

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“You look at what Blake would be worth on the market if we had to trade for him now, the way he’s playing,” Simpson said. “We slowly added as the season went on. Sometimes, you have to do deals right at the end and that’s the way it goes, but we’ve been lucky to be able to get them in to become part of our culture earlier.”

Though the Knights’ goal is to finish their story and win the Memorial Cup, there is no sense looking at what is happening in the Quebec and Western leagues. Like all hosts, Rimouski has a roster-building advantage because they already know they are in the final four.

The rest have to focus on getting through their leagues first. London’s OHL Western Conference foes haven’t made any Allen-sized moves, but Eastern contenders Barrie, Oshawa, Brampton and Kingston have definitely beefed up.

“We didn’t lose a lot of games in the playoffs last year but there were a lot of games that could have swung the other way,” Simpson said, “so it’s about staying in the moment and improving as the season goes on. We have guys who were part of our run last year that showed they can push the boat along and win in the key spots.”

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On Thursday, Windsor grabbed 6-foot-5, 202-pound defenceman Wyatt Kennedy from North Bay for 17-year-old d-man Adrian Manzo and four draft picks.

The Ottawa 67’s sent Blenheim native and overage forward Brady Stonehouse to the last-place Peterborough Petes for fourth- and sixth-round draft picks. Former Knight Kaeden Johnston, dealt to Sarnia in the preseason, joined Saginaw for a 10th round pick.

The Soo Greyhounds shipped overage goaltender Charlie Schenkel to Kingston for goalie Nolan Lalonde and three draft picks. Guelph parted with overage defenceman Thomas Budnick, who joined Brantford for third- and fifth-round picks.

rpyette@postmedia.com

KNIGHTSWATCH

Friday: vs. Windsor, 7 p.m. Battle for best in the West again at Canada Life Place.

Saturday: at Owen Sound, 7 p.m. Canadian world junior goalie Carter George won first game back with Attack over Barrie Wednesday.

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