Thursday, January 08, 2009

Spirit signs Schnell, deals Allicock to Wolves

The Saginaw Spirit has completed multiple transactions with the approaching Ontario Hockey League trade deadline.

The Spirit signed free agent power forward Ryan Schnell and traded winger Kain Allicock to Sudbury for a fourth-round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

Schnell (pictured) is a 1989-born native of Cary, Ill., that spent two seasons with the USHL's Chicago Steel. He posted 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists and 244 penalty minutes during his time with the Steel. Schnell was selected by the Barrie Colts in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, but chose to play with the US National Team Development Program during the 2005-2006 season prior to joining the USHL.

“We added toughness and grit to our roster by signing this player,” stated Spirit head coach Todd Watson. “Our No. 1 priority this season has been finding someone that was both tough and skilled and we feel we’ve found him in Ryan Schnell."

“I am excited to be joining the Ontario Hockey League and the Saginaw Spirit with its great hockey history and the caliber of its players,” said Schnell. “I feel that this move will be beneficial to my career and will provide a lot of professional exposure as I work towards my goals.”

Schnell is slated to join the Spirit immediately.

“I feel that I bring a lot of hockey experience, leadership, hard work, skill and toughness to the team and that both the myself and the Spirit compliment each other nicely," Schnell added. "I’m thankful for the opportunity to play for Saginaw and I’m anxious to jump in and contribute.”

Allicock was traded to Sudbury in return for a fourth-round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. Allicock joined the Spirit last season after being drafted by Saginaw in 2006. The 1990-born Toronto native posted eight points on four goals and four assists and 99 PIM in 33 games this season.

“Sudbury has been seeking him for some time and they have become much more competitive with the addition of Kain and the other players they’ve picked up with the approaching deadline,” stated Watson. “We appreciate Kain’s contributions to the team and wish him the best of luck with Sudbury.”

Watson said the team is still considering its options with the approaching trade deadline, taking place tomorrow at noon.

“We are still exploring all options throughout the day and are excited about the many great possibilities," noted Watson.

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