The Steinbach Pistons coaching staff have pulled off yet another blockbuster deal for the second consecutive offseason.
The Pistons have acquired forward Matt Osadick (’00) and future considerations from the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for forward Carter Loney (’02). The deal also involved the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters where Osadick played the latter part of last season.
The 20-year-old Grand Pointe, Manitoba product is no stranger to the MJHL as he helped lead the Swan Valley Stampeders to the Turnbull Cup finals with 29 goals and 34 assists in only 45 games during the 2018-19 season before making the move out to B.C the following year. Osadick got off to a slower start in the 2019-20 season tallying just 8 points in 36 games with the Merritt Centennials, but found his game in the last stretch of the season after being traded to the Smoke Eaters where he put up 11 points in 16 games.
Pistons Head Coach/GM Paul Dyck says Osadick’s play with the Stampeders really caught his eye.
“We are thrilled to have Matt joining us for the upcoming season,” he said. “He is a tremendous skater and a player our fans are really going to appreciate.”
Osadick is familiar with some of Steinbach’s coaching staff as Assistant Coach Calvin Bugyik was his head coach with the Provincial U18 Eastman Selects.
“We have a very good knowledge of him as he played for Calvin and was a key player for Swan Valley in 2018-19 during their run to the finals,” Dyck added. “He will be a great fit in our culture and his experience and leadership will be very evident.”
Osadick is also committed to the NCAA Division I University of Maine Black Bears hockey program for the 2021-22 season.
Carter Loney, who is also committed to play Division I hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs was named Rookie of the Year in the MJHL putting up 50 points in 52 games with the Pistons.
Coach Dyck offered a few words to his former forward who will now dawn the black, grey and white jersey of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. “On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank Carter for his contributions to our program and wish him continued success in his career. He brought a lot of excitement to the building this year and was a player that was fun to watch.”
The Steinbach Pistons wish Carter and his family well, and we welcome Matt and the rest of the Osadick family to the Pistons organization. It’s about team and we are glad you are a part of it.