TIMMINS – The Timmins Rock have acquired 16-year-old forward Tyler Gilberds from the Powassan Voodoos in exchange for a player development fee.
By Thomas Perry, The Daily Press (Timmins)
Gilberds was a fifth-round pick, 86th overall, of the Ottawa 67s in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection draft, after spending the 2016-17 season with the Vaughan Kings (33, 12-16-28, 64), of the GTMMHL, and in his first season with the Voodoos ((27, 6-7-13, 32).
With six regulars still out of the lineup, he will be a welcome addition to the Rock lineup.
“He plays a good, high-tempo, high-skill game,” said Rock general manager Kevin Peever.
“He was playing in Powassan’s Top 6 at the start of the year, but with them adding more veterans, they didn’t have room for him in their Top 6 anymore.
“We definitely see him fitting into our lineup in a Top 6 role and being able to continue to develop his game so he can make it to the next level. His goal is to play in the OHL and if we can help develop his game so he can achieve that goal and make the Ottawa 67s next season, that will be great.
“That’s really what we are here for as an organization. If, he isn’t ready to make that jump next year, we have somebody who can come back for another season to further develop his career with us.”
While the arrival of Gilberds will definitely help the Rock in the short term as they continue to deal with the current rash of injuries, the GM is really looking forward to seeing how he works with a couple of the team’s walking wounded when they return to the lineup.
“I think he is going to complement players like Derek Seguin and Stewart Parnell when they get back in the lineup,” Peever said.
“We are confident he can help us make a push in the second half of the season.”
At 6-2 and 185 pounds, Gilberds should bring a little extra size to the Rock forward group, as well.
“Other than (Riley) Robitaille (6-2, 165 pounds) and Parnell (6-1, 171 pounds), we don’t really have that size factor up front,” Peever said.
“Gilberds’ size and skill level should complement guys like (Rock captain) Wayne Mathieu and open up a little bit more space for them.”
The addition of the Georgetown, Ont., native follows a trade with the Grand Prairie JDA Kings, of the NWJHL, that saw forwards Connor Hoffmann (20, 2-2-4, 6) and Kevin Kutasi (12, 0-1-1, 6) shipped out west in exchange for player development fees.
“We may still have a few moves left to make,” Peever said.
