The Erie Otters traded overage winger Josh Vatri, 20, to Kingston for a sixth-round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, the club announced Tuesday. The club also placed defenseman Ryan Henry, 18, and rookie center Samuel Coyne, 18, on waivers at 4 p.m. Tuesday, coach Peter Sidorkiewicz said.
The moves trimmed the roster to 27 players from 30 players. Club officials want to begin the season on Sept. 21 in Windsor with 23 players. All three didn’t factor into the club’s plans, Sidorkiewicz said.
With the return of Anthony Peluso, 18, to forward and the signing of rookie Shawn Szydlowski, 17, Vatri fell to fifth on the depth chart at right wing. Nick Palmieri, 18, and Stanislav Polodna, 18, also play the position. Kingston had an opening for an overage forward, Otters coach Peter Sidorkiewicz said.
“He fits their needs,” Sidorkiewicz said of Vatri, who made the Otters as a free agent two seasons ago. “He should get a very good opportunity to play there.” His departure leaves the club with two overagers, goaltender Justin Garay and winger Ronny Rogers, one below the league-mandated maximum.
Henry played sparingly as a rookie last season, finishing with no points and eight penalty minutes in 25 games. With the arrival of 2006 draft pick Robyn Sertic, 17, and 2007 picks David Shields, 16, and Tyler Hostetter, 16, Henry slipped out of the seven-player rotation on defense.
“He didn’t play much last year,” Sidorkiewicz said. “We’re not going to keep him here again this year.”
Coyne wasn’t expected to receive much playing time at center. The club already has Zack Torquato, 18, Jordan Skellett, 17, Justin Hodgman, 19, and Shayne Taylor, 17, at the position.
OHL teams can claim Henry and Coyne during the 72-hour waiver period. If they aren’t claimed by 4 p.m. Friday, the Otters maintain their rights. Then the club can release or trade them. Both were involved in trade talks, but those clubs “didn’t need them,” Sidorkiewicz said.

– Victor Fernandes