Saginaw deals captain Asselin to Oshawa

The Oshawa Generals have acquired one of the top veterans in the Ontario Hockey League.

Patrick Asselin, who holds the Saginaw Spirit franchise record for games played with 255, was acquired by the Generals on Tuesday in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2008 and a second-round pick in 2009. Asselin will make his debut Friday when the Generals play host to the Belleville Bulls at 7:35 p.m. at the General Motors Centre.

“He’s a perfect fit for our hockey club,” Oshawa coach-GM Brad Selwood said. “He’s a guy that can play in a variety of roles, he does so many things well and he’s the kind of a veteran you need to win in this league.”

Asselin, 20, is a Peterborough, Ont., native who is in his fifth season in the OHL, all of them with the Spirit. He enjoyed his best season in the OHL last year, with 27 goals, 26 assists for 53 points in 68 games. The veteran left winger has 70 goals and 136 points in his OHL career and brings extensive experience in the league to the Eastern Conference leading Generals.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Generals,” Asselin said. “This is a team with a legitimate shot at winning the league title and I’m happy to be a part of it.”