The Windsor Spitfires have traded star OHL goaltender Michael DiPietro and two draft picks to the Ottawa 67's.
In return, the Spits get Russian forward Egor Afanasyev and four second round picks -- Ottawa's 2nd round pick in 2019, London's 2nd round pick in 2021, Ottawa's 2nd round picks in 2022 and 2023.
"I'm a Spitfire and I always will be no matter where I go," DiPietro told reporters during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. "Growing up and watching the Spitfires and having the honour to play for them and win the Memorial Cup. I look back and there are so many memories."
The Spits also get three conditional draft picks from Ottawa -- Ottawa's 2nd in 2021, Ottawa's 3rd in 2021 and Ottawa's 3rd in 2022 -- but also send their 4th round pick in 2020 and Kingston's 2nd round pick in 2024 to the 67's to complete the deal.
DiPietro was drafted by the Spits in 2015 and led the team to a Memorial Cup championship almost two years ago.
The Amherstburg native was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2017.
"It is bitter sweet, I think the deal is done--great, but the deal is done--crap. I don't want to leave," says DiPietro.
Spits General Manager Warren Rychel admits this was a tough one, comparing it to the trade involving his son Kerby Rychel to the Guelph Storm in 2013.
"Probably the hardest, it's a son," says Rychel. "It's almost like Kerby, but it is what it is, and we have always tried to do the right thing for our fans."
DiPietro hopes his legacy is what he did off the ice with his charity work saying his on-ice performance speaks for itself.
"I was very blessed to have the opportunity to impact as many people as I did," says DiPietro.
Rychel added a second goaltender after dealing away DiPietro.
Windsor acquired 19-year-old Colton Incze from Niagara in exchange for a 4th round pick in 2022.
Incze, from Oakville, has played in 41 games over parts of three seasons, compiling a career 11-15-0 record.
He joins Kari Piiroinen in the Windsor crease.
DiPietro meanwhile expects to play for the 67's this weekend and then travels to Victoria B.C for the World Junior's selection camp on Monday.