Graovac Traded to Belleville

Tyler Graovac in a shoot-out against Oshawa.

The Ottawa 67’s have made the first big splash in the trade market ahead of the OHL’s trade deadline, sending Tyler Graovac to the Belleville Bulls for Sergey Kuptsov, a 2014 second-round pick, a 2015 third-round pick, and a 2014 seventh-round pick if Kuptsov doesn’t return to the 67’s as a 19-year old.

Graovac is now on his way to Belleville, where he’s expected to play his second consecutive game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.  He had Ottawa’s lone goal in Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Hounds, as well as the winning goal on Tuesday in Kingston.  He brings 35 points in 30 games to a Belleville team that has struggled to score at times this year.  Before the trade, Jordan Subban was the Bulls leading scorer with 27 points.

Photo courtesy of Mike Carroccetto @wildfiremike

Kuptsov, who now joins his third OHL team in two seasons, is also expected to be in the lineup tonight as the 67’s take on the Barrie Colts.  The Russian right winger put up 40 points in 98 games with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and Bulls. 

With Kevin Groulx and Taylor Fielding being the only natural right wingers on Ottawa’s roster, the need for a right winger who can play on the top two lines was a necessity, and 67’s fans are hoping that the import can be a key piece to this rebuild and next year’s team up front.

Graovac joins another former 67, Jake Cardwell, in Belleville.  Since being traded for a package of draft picks in November, Cardwell has had eight points in 17 games.  Ottawa has now picked up five draft picks from their divisional rival this year.

67’s fans and we at the 67’s Fan Blog would like to wish Graovac the best of luck in Belleville, and would like to welcome Kuptsov to the Nation’s Capital.