The head coach of the Windsor Spitfires is calling the Michael DiPietro trade "emotional."
DiPietro is on his way to the Ottawa 67's in return for Russian forward Egor Afanasyev, four second round draft picks plus three conditional picks.
Trevor Letowski says there were talks a move might be made, but the official announcement Tuesday hit the locker room hard.
Letowski says, there's no question, DiPietro was the team leader.
"Emotional day for our whole dressing room, coaches, support staff and obviously players, his teammates," he said. "You guys don't need to hear it from me what he meant to our team and what he meant to the community, the City of Windsor."
Windsor Spitfire goalie Michael DiPietro taking on the Guelph Storm on November 10, 2018 (Photo courtesy of Tim Cornett/WindsorSpitfires.com)
Letowski acknowledges that trades are a part of the game. He says junior hockey has become a pretty big business and you see some player movement.
"He's been here since I got here. Three-and-a-half pretty good years with Mikey. Just a joy to coach him, just a real popular teammate, beloved in the community," he said.
The Amherstburg native was drafted by the Spitfires in 2015 and led the team to a Memorial Cup championship in 2017.
DiPietro is expected to suit up for the 67's this weekend before flying out to take part in Canada's World Junior Hockey team selection camp beginning Monday.