Maillet, Storm’s former second-round recruit, excited to start over with Spitfires after the trade

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For the second time in nine days, the Windsor Spitfires have added an experienced player looking for a fresh start.

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The Spitfires acquired 18-year-old center Jacob Maillet from the Guelph Storm on Tuesday in exchange for Windsor’s fifth-round pick in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Draft and a conditional 12th-round pick in 2024.

“I found out (Tuesday) morning that there was a (trade) offer and I’m happy to take it,” said 6-foot-1, 187-pound Maillet. “I am excited about that. I never applied for (an exchange) and I knew there was some interest (from other teams) and I’m happy for the opportunity.

“Guelph is a pretty deep team with a lot of good players. This is just one chance and I’m excited to go to Windsor and have a fresh start. “

The opportunity was the same that brought Alex Christopoulos to the Spitfires last week from the North Bay Battalion for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

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“I think the kid has some ability,” said Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler. “He is a reliable and responsible centreman in all three zones. He is a former second-round pick and we hope this opportunity will boost him and our hockey team. “

Originally from Dundas, Storm took Maillet in the second round of the 2019 OHL Draft. However, the Hamilton Junior Bulldogs product has yet to find its offensive game in the league. He has just three goals and 12 points in 74 career games with two goals and six points in 23 games this season.

“I think I can make plays with the puck,” Maillet said. “I think I can be a scorer, a passer or whatever I need to be.”

Maillet didn’t make it to Windsor in time to practice with the team on Tuesday, but head coach Marc Savard said the club’s new edition will be in the lineup when the Spitfires take on the Owen Sound Attack on Wednesday at the WFCU Center. Game time is at 7:30 pm

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“He’ll have a chance,” Savard said of Maillet. “It’s one of those situations where I didn’t have a lot of opportunities where I was and we’ll use it.”

Maillett also gives the Spitfires some depth with captain Will Cuylle who headed to pick camp Thursday with Hockey Canada for this year’s world youth team.

“I definitely think that’s one of the reasons we’re doing it,” Savard said. “We also needed some players with some of the injuries.”

But Maillet will also give Savard a few options. It gives him a true right-hander to take matchups instead of having to take out Wyatt Johnston in every key draw.

“It gives Johnny a break,” Savard said. “You don’t have to go out every time to do the drawing.”

But Savard said he is not concerned that Maillet has to come in and play an offensive role. The Spitfires are averaging almost 4.25 goals per game, but the problem is that the club is allowing that many games, too.

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The club hopes that the return of goalkeeper Xavier Medina for Wednesday’s game, after a nine-game absence due to a leg injury, will help the club, but Maillet can also contribute.

“He will help us in situations where we need help,” Savard said. “That is not scoring goals, we are not concerned with that, but penalties and other things.”

Maillet says he is ready to jump into action and help the club where it is needed.

“I think all aspects of my game can help,” Maillet said. “I am a 200 foot player and I pride myself on that. I want to win and that’s what I want to do at Windsor.

“Showdowns for sure, I pride myself on that. I am an extremely hard worker and will write an advance check and a retroactive check. I’m excited and happy that we play (on Wednesday) and I can do it. “

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