Spirit acquire former Guelph captain C.J. Garcia

FeaturedSaginaw

By @StefanKubus –

The Saginaw Spirit announced they’ve acquired former Guelph Storm captain C.J. Garcia in exchange for the Spirit’s third-round pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, a second-round pick in 2019 and a fourth-round pick in 2020 (via North Bay).

Garcia, a 6-foot, 180-poumd defenseman, enters his fifth season in the OHL after tallying a career-high 26 points, playing in all 68 regular season games. Garcia was originally selected in the third round of the OHL Priority Selection by the Barrie Colts in 2012.

“As an organization we are very excited to be adding someone of C.J. Garcia’s ability and character to the Saginaw Spirit family,” Spirit GM Dave Drinkill said in a release. “Being able to add a skillful defenseman was a priority for us going into the season and we addressed that today with this addition. Our back end now has a great mix of size, strength, and offensive puck-moving ability, which will make our defense very strong. C.J. is entering his fifth year in the league and brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge that he can share with our younger players, helping them grow and mature, on and off the ice. Garcia has been a captain of an OHL team and anytime you can add a player with high character to your team, you jump at the opportunity. We are excited to welcome C.J. to Saginaw.”

Garcia said he’s looking at the trade as an opportunity to prove himself.

“I am very excited to become a member of the Saginaw Spirit,” Garcia said in the release. “I look forward to suiting up with some great players here. The team is going to contend this season and it’s a thrill to get this new opportunity to prove to my teammates and coaches that I am an elite player in this league.”

The Spirit’s training camp for their 15th anniversary season is set to begin August 29 at The Dow Event Center.