Struggling Sudbury Wolves trade Nick Baptiste

The Sudbury Wolves, who are struggling with the worst record in the OHL, have have traded co-captain Nick Baptiste to the Erie Ottersin exchange for 17-year-old defenceman Cole Mayo and 19-year-old forward Travis Wood.

The deal also lands the Wolves two second round draft picks and two third round draft picks in futureOHL Priority Selection drafts.

Baptise will join top junior player Connor McDavid in Erie and the Otters are expected to make a run for the Memorial Cup this year.

Nick has been a true leader for our hockey club and we are going to miss his skill, leadership andexperience in our line-up the rest of the way, saidWolves GM Blaine Smith in a release.

Based on the way that the season has gone so far, it was imperative that we acquire players like Cole and Travis and high draftselections that will allow us to address our team needs for the present and the future."

Baptiste is also under contract as a prospect with the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL.

The newly acquiredTravis Wood is described as a solid two-wayforward. Hehas 6 points in 10 games with the Erie Otters so far this season.

Defenceman Cole Mayo wasa 3rd round draft choice of the Erie Otters in the 2013 OHLPriority Selection. He is expected to bring size, speed and offensive skill to the Wolves' blueline.

The newly acquired players are expected to be in the Wolves line-up on Friday night when the team hosts the Guelph Storm at the Sudbury Arena. The wolves have a record of four wins and 19 losses so far this season.

Morning North5:14Sudbury Wolves trade one of their top players

The struggling Sudbury Wolves made a move this week. They traded one of their top players, Nick Baptiste. We had the General Manager of the Sudbury Wolves Blaine Smith in studio to talk more about the trade and what it could mean for the team.