After a disappointing 7-12-1 start transformed into a disastrous 0-10-0 streak at home in the second quarter, the Boston Banshees wasted no time in sounding the rebuild alarm with a pair of blockbusters.
The first deal saw Boston send its best defenseman, Josh Morrissey, as well as injured winger Tyler Seguin, and a fourth round pick to Clarington. In return, the Banshees get wingers Bobby McMann and Nicholas Robertson and, most importantly, Clarington’s first round pick in 2026. The Coyotes ended the first quarter tied for the league’s fifth worst record, so the pick should be a good one. Still, it’s the first time the Coyotes have positioned themselves as buyers. Morrissey dramatically changes the complexion of their blueline and will no doubt be paired with Mo Seider.
In the second move, the Banshees traded goaltender Ilya Sorokin to the surging Great Lakes Pilots for young winger Rutger McGroarty, goalie Elvis Merzlikins, and a second round pick. Although neither Sorokin nor Merzlikins have had especially good numbers this year, there’s no doubt that the acquisition of the former solidifies the Pilots’ goaltending in a way they desperately needed. Meanwhile, the Banshees will hope that Yaroslav Askarov can become their new backbone between the pipes.
Gump Worsley Memorial Hockey League 