The Erie Otters traded center Mitchell Forbes to Owen Sound today for a conditional pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, a day after dealing overage winger Josh Vatri to Kingston for a 2009 sixth-round pick. The Otters have obtained a combined six picks for 2008 and 2009 in the past year.
The club traded Jordan Nolan to Windsor for two picks, including a fifth-rounder in 2008. The Jordan Skellett trade with Saginaw added third-round and fifth-round picks in 2009. The Frank Grzeszczak deal with Plymouth included a 2008 fourth-round pick. The conditional pick acquired for Forbes increases the longer he plays for the Attack, said Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner/general manager.
“We stockpiled some draft choices,” Bassin said, while trimming the roster to 26 players. Club officials would like to begin the season with 23 players. Bassin said more moves could occur before the Sept. 21 opener in Windsor. “Nothing really specific right now,” he said. Bassin said he hopes to have a better idea about potential moves after watching Saturday’s exhibition game against Niagara at Tullio Arena.
Forbes, 17, a fifth-round pick in 2006, played limited minutes in 53 games as a rookie last season, totaling three points – all assists. Forbes played center and right wing. But he stands behind veterans Zack Torquato, 18, Skellett, 17, Justin Hodgman, 19, and Shayne Taylor, 18, at center. He is behind Nick Palmieri, 18, Stanislav Polodna, 18, Anthony Peluso, 18, and Shawn Szydlowski, 17, on the wing.
All eight are eligible to return for at least another season. In contrast, Forbes has been pegged as a center on the top three lines in Owen Sound’s rebuilding effort, Bassin said. “He’s such a wonderful kid,” Bassin said of Forbes. “I wanted him to get an honest (chance). He’s pretty creative with the puck.”

– Victor Fernandes