A flagship franchise in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is sailing into some murky and uncharted waters. And it’s not clear how deep and perilous those waters could be.

The County’s Jr. A team appears to be without a Coach and General Manager, and half of its returning complement of players have been traded away. There are  serious questions about the immediate and long term future of the franchise with not many answers.

Just hours prior to resigning his post as club coach and general manager Saturday morning, the Dukes’ Derek Smith made a series of trades with other Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) organizations, including the rival Trenton Golden Hawks.

In what can only be described as a fire sale, on June 1, Mr. Smith traded forwards Corbin Roach, Lucas LaPalm, Ryan Cutler and Barrett Joynt to the Golden Hawks for goaltender Ethan Fraser, forward Joe Weber and a Player Development Fee (PDF).

The CJHL has a $5,000 limit on Player Development Fees, although organizations have been known to skirt that rule. 

Fraser was the back up goalie for the OJHL’s Southeastern Conference Champions, while Weber tallied 10 points in 43 OJHL games for the Golden Hawks in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the outgoing Wellington players took a whopping 157 points combined last season.

As of press time Monday afternoon, inquires to OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy and Wellington Dukes owner Ken Clement had yet to be returned.

Also on the move last week was Graeme Macauley who was shipped to the Milton Menace for what is assumed a PDF/future considerations.

Goaltender Ethan Morrow and forward Edward Moskowitz were sent to Blackfalds of the Alberta Junior Hockey League on June 2nd for what are assumed PDF/future considerations.

A day later, former two-time Wellington assistant coach and interim Trenton General Manager Todd Reid, who must have had the best week of any General Manager in OJHL history, claimed Dukes defenceman Trevor McDowell off league waivers.

Mathseon Mason, who was a point-per-game player for Wellington in 2022-23 with 28 points in 28 games, was picked up by the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the now outlaw British Columbia Hockey League, meaning the Dukes will likely receive nothing in return for the starry forward who suited up for Team Canada East at the 2022 World Jr. A Challenge in Cornwall last year.

A source at Shire Hall suggested Mr. Clement and County of Prince Edward Staff have developed a multi-year framework to keep the Dukes operating in Wellington with a report and draft motion expected to come before council later this month. Stay tuned.