The Soo Greyhounds have swapped former under-18 first-rounder Jesse Venturo for a 2028 tenth-round pick from the Erie Otters, general manager Kyle Raftis announced Monday afternoon.
Venturo, a 19-year-old forward from Kleinburg, Ont., was originally taken by the Greyhounds in the first round, third overall, of the 2023 Under-18 Priority Selection.
Goaltender Noah Tegelaar, who will battle for the Hounds’ backup gig behind Landon Miller this week, was taken with the 23rd pick of that same draft from the Guelph Gryphons U18 AAA club.
Venturo played the past two seasons with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the OJHL, and is committed to playing NCAA hockey for Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
In 38 OJHL games last season, he compiled nine goals and 21 points.
It is unclear wh