Trocheck tweets that he is off to Plymouth; Bratina to Spirit

By Michael Caples –

Saginaw Spirit captain Vincent Trocheck posted on Twitter this morning that he is “starting fresh” with the Plymouth Whalers.

The Pittsburgh native, who won gold with Team USA at the 2013 World Juniors just last weekend, did not play in the Spirit’s 6-5 win against the Whalers last night, and there was speculation on Twitter that he was scratched because a trade was coming.

UPDATE: The Spirit announced that Zach Bratina, a 17-year-old forward who was a Whalers’ first-round pick in 2012, will be the player exchanged in the deal. The Spirit will also acquire second and third-round picks in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, and a third-round pick in 2016.

“We are very excited to be able to acquire Vince,” said Mike Vellucci, coach and GM of the Plymouth Whalers, in a release.  “He is someone we’ve coveted since his minor midget draft year (Detroit Little Caesars).  Vince and Ryan Hartman are coming here just having helped the United States win a gold medal in the World Junior Championships.  I am looking forward to seeing Vince in the lineup this weekend.”

Trocheck, a Florida Panthers prospect, has 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points in 35 games so far this season. Last year, he recorded 85 points in 65 games.

The Whalers currently sit in second place in the West Division of the OHL’s Western Conference, with 46 points. The Spirit are five points behind their in-state rival.