The long awaited trade of goaltender Joey Biasucci finally became a reality as the Soo Greyhounds shipped the local product to the Memorial Cup champions.
The son of Greyhound part owner and governor, Sam Biasucci, Joey never found the groove in his hometown. The Hounds traded Biasucci to the Kitchener Rangers in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2005 Ontario Hockey League draft.
Biasucci was originally drafted by the Brampton Battalion in the 2000 OHL draft before being acquired by the Hounds last summer.
He recorded four wins, eight losses and two ties with a goals-against average of 4.35 and a .866 save percentage in 18 appearances last season. In his rookie season, Biasucci posted a 7-12-1 record along with a 4.51 goals-against average.
*** SIGN HERE: The Soo Greyhounds announced Thursday that second round draft pick Matthew Leszczynski has agreed on terms and has signed with club. Leszczynski was selected 26th overall in May's OHL draft from the Sudbury Northern Wolves of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
With the signing, the Greyhounds now have their top three picks from this year's draft under contract. The Hounds selected centre Chris Lawrence in the first round and defenseman David Jarram with their second pick in the second round.
*** KNIGHTED SHEPPARD: The London Knights acquired overage centre Scott Sheppard from the Ottawa 67's on Wednesday in exchange for a third round pick in the 2005 OHL draft. Entering his fourth year in the league, Sheppard scored 31 goals and 78 points in 67 games with Ottawa last season.