Erie Otters deal for another goalie ahead of Ontario Hockey League's trade deadline
Erie Otters general manager Dave Brown traded for a goaltender shortly after the Ontario Hockey League’s season started.
He dealt for another shortly before that same league’s trading deadline.
Brown announced Tuesday night that Erie sent its 10th round pick in the OHL's 2026 draft, a pick formerly received from Sault Ste. Marie, to the Niagara IceDogs.
In return, the Otters acquired rookie goalie Charlie Burns. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native, who’s competed this season for the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Fort Erie Meteors, will be listed behind Ben Gaudreau and Jacob Gibbons.
Gaudreau, an overage veteran, was the goalie Erie acquired from Sarnia last Oct. 10.
“Charlie is a goalie we watched closely this year,” Brown said in a team news release. “He gives us depth within the position.”
“We’re excited to see Charlie’s continued development and future within the Otters.”
Tuesday’s trade was completed less than 24 hours before the OHL will prohibit such deals for the rest of its current season.
Burns, who turns 18 on Jan. 29, had a 16-3 record in net for the 2023-24 Meteors at the time of Tuesday’s trade. One of his victories was a shutout.
Although Burns never played for the 2023-24 IceDogs, he leaves a franchise that had the league’s worst record as of Tuesday. Niagara was 10-21-5-1 in the Central Division.
Erie back in action
The Otters didn’t announce if Burns, whom Niagara chose in the ninth round of the league’s 2022 draft, will appear in person for Wednesday’s 7 p.m. game vs. the Barrie Colts at Erie Insurance Arena.
Erie goes into the finale of its three-game homestand with a 17-15-4-0 record in the league’s Midwest Division. Barrie arrives here at 15-19-1-0 in the Central Division.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Otters acquire goalie Charlie Burns from Niagara IceDogs
