Wolves and Spirit trade prospects

The Sudbury Wolves took a step towards attracting a prospect from the US College program when they acquired the rights to 19-year-old forward Robert Visca from the Saginaw Spirit.

In return, the Wolves sent Saginaw the rights to forward Brandon Pirri. Future considerations are also included in the deal in the event that the players report to their respective team.

Visca was a fifth round selection of the Saginaw Spirit in the 2007 OHL Entry Draft. In the 2006-07 season, he played for the Barrie Minor Midgets and led the team in scoring with 51 points in 51 games, including 28 goals.

As a 16-year-old rookie, Visca notched 28 goals and 44 points in 49 games with the Orangeville Crushers of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League in 2007-08.

In 2008-09, the left winger tallied 17 goals in just 26 games with Orangeville, and was an assistant captain with the Crushers, helping to lead them to the OPJHL finals. Visca recorded 14 points in 16 play-off games en route to the championship final.

Last season, Visca accepted a full ride scholarship from the University of Massachusetts Lowell to play for the Riverhawks of the Hockey East Conference.

“Head Coach Trent Cull and I will be in communication with Rob and his family in the days ahead,” Wolves’ general manager Blaine Smith said, in a press release. “Visca is a very skilled forward who can score goals. He would play a leading role in our offensive attack next season here in Sudbury.”