SPITFIRE SPOTLIGHT with WYATT KENNEDY
Looking for an experienced rearguard to a add to the talented but young defence corps of the Windsor Spitfires leading up to the January 10th Ontario Hockey League trade deadline, general manager Bill Bowler acquired the veteran presence in the form of Wyatt Kennedy who was picked up from the North Bay Battalion in exchange for defenceman Adrian Manzo and four future draft picks on January 9.
The Six-foot-five, 205-lb Kennedy was in the midst of his fourth season in North Bay after being the Battalion’s third round pick, 50th overall, in the 2021 Ontario Priority Selection.
The Ottawa native, who has yet to be drafted by a National Hockey League team, did attend the developmental camp of the Chicago Black Hawks last fall. He was and is viewed by Bowler an a potential overage player for the 2025-2026 OHL season.
In Play! Magazine: Were you expecting to be traded by the North Bay Battalion this season?
Wyatt Kennedy: “Heading into this season, I wasn’t expecting to be traded but after the way the first half of the season played out in North Bay and as things got closer to the trade deadline , I thought it was the bet thing for my career that I moved on. I think the deal is going to work out well for both teams in the end.”
In Play! Magazine: What was your initial reaction when you found out that you had been traded to the Windsor Spitfires?
Wyatt Kennedy: “I was super-excited because it a great team and organization and I’ve heard nothing but great things about both from a friend (Tnias Mathurin) who I had played with for three seasons in North Bay before he was traded to Windsor before the start of this season. The Spitfires organization really does treat the players like professionals!”
In Play! Magazine: Did you know anyone else on the Spitfires before you were traded here?
Wyatt Kennedy: “I met AJ Spellacy, who is now my billet-mate in Windsor, at the Chicago Black Hawks rookie camp last fall. I already knew who he was as I’ve played against him for a couple of seasons already in the OHL and I like to find out and learn about the players that I play against.”
In Play! Magazine: With the North Bay playing in the OHL’s Eastern Conference and Windsor being in the Western Conference, you’ve only played the Spitfires twice a season ( home and away) for four seasons. Do you have any memories from playing against Windsor or at the WFCU Centre?
Wyatt Kennedy: “I’ve always thought that there was a great atmosphere here, with a first- class building that is one of the biggest and best rinks in the OHL. It has been something of a change from North Bay, where they have one of the smaller rinks in the league. Both rinks are full of high-energy fans and I love playing in front of them .But everything is on a bigger scale for me now.”
In Play! Magazine: For fans who have not seen you play before, can you describe your style of play?
Wyatt Kennedy: “I think that I am a shut-down defenceman. Last season and this season, I’ve worked on mastering the defensive side of my game.
I like to play a tough, physical game too and I love to provide a physical presence for my team. Since coming to Windsor, the coaches have wanted me to also expand the offensive side of my game because they think I have the skill set to contribute more offensively. Think that I do too.”
In Play! Magazine: Who have been your defence partner since joining the Spitfires?
Wyatt Kennedy: “I’ve been playing consistently with Carson Woodall. He is a more offensive guy and we’ve worked well together. I can stay back a bit while he heads up the ice but I’m also getting more opportunities to improve the offensive side of my game by playing with him.
Sometimes I also find myself playing with Conor Walton and we’re a good defensive shut-down pairing.
I’ve found that all of our defencemen in Windsor can pretty-much play with any partner and that’s a great thing for the team to have.”
In Play! Magazine: The Spitfires brought you in to help out not only for the remainder of this season, but also for you to possibly return in 2025-2026 for an overage season. Is that something that you might want to do?
Wyatt Kennedy: “Everything is up in the air for me now with the new changes that now all Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to go to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association or United States university) and that is definitely something that I would consider doing too. But if the opportunity to come back here next season when we are going to have an even better team is also something that I would be very interested in doing too.
I haven’t made any decision regarding next season yet and I won’t be making that decision for awhile yet but playing for a great team in Windsor next season would be amazing too.”