Revisiting Spitfires’ – 67’s January 2024 Jacob Maillet Trade

Moving veterans for picks is never easy in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). For Windsor Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler, a January 2024 trade with the Ottawa 67’s was difficult, but it also continues to provide help to the current roster.

It was no secret that Bowler had to do some roster shuffling in 2023-24. After an attempt at a championship run the season before, his only choice was to get some assets for the future. Part of that included moving veteran defenceman Jacob Holmes to the Kingston Frontenacs in June 2023.

Another part was moving more veterans closer to the January 2024 trade deadline. One of those was forward Jacob Maillet, who not only blossomed alongside forward Matthew Maggio (now with the New York Islanders) but also became a fan favourite. Fortunately, the deal continues to pay off.

Spitfires Trade Maillet to 67’s

The trade officially happened on Jan. 4, 2024, and saw Maillet head to the 67’s. Here’s how it looked.

To 67’s:

• 20-year-old forward Maillet

To Spitfires:

• North Bay Battalion’s third-round pick in 2024
• 67’s fifth-round pick in 2025
• 67’s second-round pick in 2027
• 67’s third-round pick in 2027

What the 67’s Got

In December 2021, Bowler acquired Maillet from the Guelph Storm for a fifth-round pick in 2022 and a 15th-round pick in 2024. It was a buy-low situation as Maillet was the Storm’s second-round pick in 2019 but had 12 points in 74 games. He needed a chance to show his stuff, and the Spitfires gave that to him.

He blossomed with the Spitfires, recording 134 points in 150 games, often on the top line with Maggio. He wasn’t flashy but always seemed to get the job done. The club even rewarded him with an alternate captain’s “A” in 2022-23 when he had 24 goals and 76 points in 67 games.

Maillet continued that with 33 points in 37 games before his move to the 67’s. They wanted experience and depth for a possible playoff run, as the Eastern Conference was tight and any help could get them over the edge. Maillet gave them 26 points in 33 games and seemed to fit in well. Unfortunately, Ottawa lost to the eventual conference champion Oshawa Generals in four games in the second round.

That marked the end of Maillet’s OHL career. He moved on to St. Francis Xavier University in 2024-25 before joining Niagara University (NCAA) in Lewiston, NY, last season.

What the Spitfires Got

Fortunately for the Spitfires, the picks were fairly straightforward. The Battalion’s third-round pick in 2024 became defenceman Andrew Robinson. He got a call-up to the club at the end of 2024-25 and showed promise. He wound up making the team in 2025-26 and finished with 26 points in 63 games. The new Edmonton Oilers’ pick is expected to play a significant role for the Spitfires next season.

The 67’s fifth-round pick in 2025 and third-round pick in 2027 both went to the Battalion on Jan. 9, 2024, for the rights to overage (20-year-old) forward Pasquale Zito. The former Detroit Red Wings’ prospect was the Spitfires’ second-round pick in 2019 but was moved to the Niagara IceDogs in June 2022 to get a fresh start.

He played a season for them and the Battalion but didn’t return for an overage season in 2023-24. When the chance came to join the Spitfires, he took it. Unfortunately, that only lasted five games before he decided to leave for personal reasons.

Finally, the 67’s second-round pick in 2027 went to the Sudbury Wolves this past January in a large package deal for forwards Nathan Villeneuve and Alex Pharand. The two veterans came to the Spitfires in hopes of solidifying the roster for the playoff run. Neither one put up the points that they wanted, but they provided leadership and much-needed veteran depth as the club went on to the Western Conference Final (losing to the Memorial Cup Champion Kitchener Rangers in five games).

Verdict – Bowler Wins by an Edge

When Bowler acquired Maillet, nobody expected it to turn out as impressive as it did. It’s hard to predict a kid exploding offensively as he did. Fortunately, it became a situation of buy low, sell high, and reap the rewards.

The 67’s got a veteran who put up 26 points and was a leader in the room. They just ran into a very strong club in the second round that wasn’t going to be denied. That happens in sports.

The Spitfires had some interesting times with the Zito trade, which will likely be discussed for seasons to come, plus the Villeneuve move created waves around the WFCU Centre after it happened. For better or worse, the club still made it to the Conference Final. Fortunately, Bowler also got Robinson out of the deal, and he’s becoming a very important part of Windsor’s defensive future. That alone gives the Spitfires an edge in this deal.