Revisiting Spitfires’ & Firebirds’ 2024 Roberto Mancini Trade

The Windsor Spitfires head into the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season with the likelihood of rebuilding the roster. It was three seasons ago where they were in a similar situation and one trade back then could have an effect on this season.

In 2023-24, Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler was looking to reshuffle the roster. Despite losing offensive stars like Shane Wright (Seattle Kraken) and Brett Harrison (Boston Bruins) in the off-season, they wanted to try to remain competitive. That meant getting veterans and picks back in trades. One series of moves started with an unexpected blockbuster with the Saginaw Spirit and was followed by a move with the Flint Firebirds that could have an impact on this season. Let’s break that one down.

Spitfires Trade Mancini to Firebirds

On Jan. 8, 2024, Bowler sent veteran defenceman Roberto Mancini to the Firebirds in exchange for picks. This is how it played out.

To Firebirds:

• 20-year-old Mancini

To Spitfires:

• Brantford Bulldogs’ second-round pick in 2024
• Firebirds’ third-round pick in 2027

What the Firebirds Got

The backstory on this is a bit unusual. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Mancini started the season with the 2024 Memorial Cup host Spirit. He was their fifth-round pick in 2019 and had over 200 games with them. However, teams can only dress three overage (20-year-old) players per game. The club wanted Spitfires’ overage forward Alex Christopoulos, who was coming off of a 49-goal campaign, and that meant sending one back in the monster multi-player, multi-pick November 2023 trade.

Mancini brought his game to the Spitfires but you felt for him given his lengthy time with the Spirit. He managed three assists for Bowler’s club over 19 games and played that rugged, defensive style he’s known for. There were no issues at all. After going to the Firebirds, he put up 15 points in 28 games and was at least closer to home (Saginaw is less than an hour from Flint). Unfortunately, they bowed out in the first round in four games.

Being the odd-man out for a team going to the Memorial Cup isn’t easy. It’s tough to say whether moving back to the Firebirds made it any better but Mancini gave them his best in the second half. That’s all you could ask of him in that situation.

What the Spitfires Got

While the Spitfires got two picks back, it’s what they did with them that’s still paying off.

The Bulldogs’ second-round pick in 2024 was traded to the Guelph Storm for the Bulldogs’ second-rounder in 2025 and the Storm’s fourth-rounder in 2024. The fourth-rounder was used to draft 6-foot-3, 180-pound defenceman Grady Spicer. He spent 2024-25 with the Brockville Braves of the Central Canada Hockey League before joining the Spitfires Junior B affiliate, the LaSalle Vipers, last season. He now heads into the Spitfires’ training camp this season at 6-foot-4, 190-pounds and looking to lock up a roster spot.

The Bulldogs’ second-rounder in 2025 was used as part of a package in August 2024 to get veteran defenceman Tnias Mathurin from the North Bay Battalion. He was a fantastic fit on the club, not only scoring 23 points in 49 games but was a character and leader off the ice. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder was often with paired with veteran Anthony Cristoforo and they worked very well together.

Finally, the Firebirds’ third-round pick in 2027 was traded to the Sudbury Wolves in January 2024 for defenceman Djibril Toure. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound Ottawa Senators’ prospect had eight points in 24 games and played a strong, physical game before suffering an injury during an altercation that kept him out for the rest of the season. He has since moved on to the pros.

Verdict: Move Continues to Pay Off for Spitfires

It’s unfortunate that Mancini was even moved from the Spirit in the first place. While the saying is “that’s part of the business”, it doesn’t make it any easier.

The Firebirds got a veteran who did what he was able to in a tough situation. Mancini put up some points, gave them solid defensive play and leadership, and came as-advertised. He just didn’t get the playoff time he expected when the season started.

While Toure didn’t have the effect with the Spitfires that Mancini had with the Firebirds, the scales get tipped to Bowler when you include Mathurin. He was everything they could have hoped for in 2024-25; a spark at both ends, physical, and a leader in the room. You could tell he brought that “it” factor that the club needed.

Now, we add in Spicer, who just turned 18-years-old in July. While he’s committed to Clarkson University for 2027-28, there’s a chance he could stick with the Spitfires through that season and go to Clarkson in 2028-29. Regardless, after 33 points and 108 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Vipers last season, he has the potential to be a big name in the club’s lineup beyond this coming season.

Nothing about these series of moves was expected but, when the dust settles, it’s clear that Bowler did well when he moved Mancini to the Firebirds. It was the best decision for both organizations.