Revisiting Spitfires’ & Frontenacs’ June 2023 Jacob Holmes Trade

Every off-season, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) opens up a trade window during June so teams can make a move or two before summer begins. For the Windsor Spitfires, a June 2023 deal with the Kingston Frontenacs continues to pay off.

After going all-in for the 2022-23 season, including bringing in Seattle Kraken prospect Shane Wright and Boston Bruins prospect Brett Harrison, general manager Bill Bowler had to ship off some assets to look at the future. One move with the Frontenacs didn’t look all that impressive at the time but it’s become a whirlwind to follow and the pieces will be talked about for at least a few seasons to come.

Spitfires Trade Holmes to Frontenacs

The deal saw Spitfires’ veteran defenceman Jacob Holmes moved to the Frontenacs on June 30, 2023. Here’s how it played out.

To Frontenacs:

• 19-year-old (five days away from turning 20) defenceman Holmes
• Spitfires’ fifth-round pick in 2027

To Spitfires:

• Niagara IceDogs’ fourth-round pick in 2024
• Frontenacs’ sixth-round pick in 2024
• Guelph Storm‘s third-round pick in 2026

What the Frontenacs Got

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Holmes was a veteran two-way defenceman who could put up points, play strong, physical hockey in his own end, and be a leader in the room. After 12 points in 35 games for the Spitfires (after being acquired from the Sudbury Wolves), he added another 18 points in 54 games for the Frontenacs in 2023-24. They didn’t need him to be the main guy, just a good overall piece to their puzzle. While they lost in the first round of the playoffs, he brought what they needed.

The fifth-round pick in 2027 was shipped off in a package to the Peterborough Petes in January 2024 for 20-year-old forward Jax Dubois. He put up 19 points in 30 games for the Frontenacs.

What the Spitfires Got

The reality in the OHL is that, when you’re selling off veterans in a rebuild, you’re likely getting picks back. However, Bowler doesn’t always get a pick in a trade and that’s the end of the story. Trades tend to get more complicated from time to time. That’s what happened here.

IceDogs’ Fourth-Rounder in 2024

This pick was moved to the Flint Firebirds in April 2024, along with the Spitfires’ 10th-round pick in 2024, in return for the Kitchener Rangers’ third-round pick in 2024. Bowler kept that one and selected forward Max Brocklehurst. The 5-foot-10, 168-pound Halifax, NS native spent parts of the last two seasons with the LaSalle Vipers Jr. B team and is hoping to become a regular on the Spitfires in 2026-27. He had five points with them in 26 games last season.

Frontenacs’ Sixth-Rounder in 2024

The Frontenacs’ sixth-round pick in 2024 became part of a major package deal with the Saginaw Spirit. The Spitfires shipped out veteran defenceman Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim Ducks) and forward Alex Christopoulos, along with the sixth-round pick. In return, they got veteran defenceman Roberto Mancini, forward Valentin Zhugin, the Petes’ second-round pick in 2024, the Soo Greyhounds’ second-round pick in 2025, and the Ottawa 67’s fourth-round pick in 2024. It didn’t stop there.

Mancini was soon traded to the Firebirds for their own third-round pick in 2027 (used to get Wolves’ defenceman Djibril Toure) and the Brantford Bulldogs’ second-round pick in 2024. That Bulldogs’ pick was shipped to the Storm for their fourth-round pick in 2024 and the Bulldogs’ second-round pick in 2025. Bowler used the fourth on 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenceman Grady Spicer, who should play a big role on the club next season. He also sent the second-round pick to the North Bay Battalion in a package for veteran defenceman Tnias Mathurin, who became a big part of the Spitfires in 2024-25.

Zhugin joined the Spitfires but, after 35 points in 50 games, headed back home to Russia where he’s currently with Magnitka Magnitogorsk in the VHL (known as the Supreme Hockey League, the second-highest level).

The picks turned out to be fairly simple. The Petes’ second-round pick was used on defenceman Carter Hicks. He was moved last season to the Brampton Steelheads in a package for veteran defenceman Jakub Fibigr. The Greyhounds’ second-round pick was used on forward Ian Inskip, who has spent much of his time with the Vipers so far. He’s expected to join the Spitfires in 2026-27.

Storm’s Third-Rounder in 2026

Finally, the Storm’s third-round pick was used in a package to acquire 20-year-old forward Owen Outwater from the Frontenacs in November 2023. While he was the Battalion’s first-round pick in 2021, recurring injuries played a part as his career went on. Unfortunately, he suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2023-24 and 2024-25 and then couldn’t get going last season before being released.

Spitfires’ Assets Still Paying Off

In a move like this, you would hope that both teams get the payoff that they want. The Frontenacs were looking for veteran depth in 2023-24 while the Spitfires were playing the long game. It generally worked.

The Frontenacs got Holmes, who did what they had hoped for. He was reasonable offensively, brought depth to the defence, and was a solid leader. Dubois brought much of the same. They were only there for the season but that was the goal, from the look of it.

The Spitfires wanted assets for the future and that’s still paying off. Brocklehurst, Spicer, and Inskip are likely to be important pieces to the club’s core in 2026-27 and beyond. They’ve all been waiting for their chance to contribute and now the door is wide open. The veterans that came in through other deals – Mathurin, Fibigr, and Mancini – were all valued contributors at one point. Even Outwater played alright until his injuries took over.

Bowler was looking for long-term assets and, generally speaking, he got them along with some pretty wild experiences in the meantime. What started out as a five-asset deal has turned into something that continues to grow for the Spitfires. When will the web end? We’ll have to wait and see.