News

The Stouffville Spirit has acquired Russian prospect Rizvan Mansurov (photo by Andy Corneau/OJHL Images) from the Aurora Tigers.

Mansurov, 17, had 12 points in 49 games in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with Aurora and the Whitby Fury last season. The native of Kazan, Russia played AAA minor hockey with the Don Mill Flyers minor midgets and Richmond Hill Coyotes midgets

In return, the Spirit sent last year’s team captain, Jack Varga, to Aurora. The 20-year-old from Mt. Albert had 64 points in 134 games during his three seasons in Stouffville.

In other roster moves this week, the Spirit dealt:

• Forward Beau Binnie to the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canada Hockey League.

The Whitchurch-Stouffville resident is attending university in Ottawa. The 19-year-old had 24 points in 69 games during the past two seasons with the Spirit.

• Goaltender David Bowen to the Rayside-Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Markham resident signed with the Sudbury Wolves and played in four games with the Ontario Hockey League team last season. A 13th round pick in the 2016 OHL draft, Bowen is expected to battle for a spot at Wolves camp, which opens Tuesday.

The Spirit began its preseason schedule with a 7-3 victory over the Aurora Tigers at the Stouffville Arena Thursday.

The Spirit opened main training camp Saturday at the Ninth Line sports complex.

Other games on the Spirit’s preseason schedule include:

• Aug. 25 at Brampton Admirals, 7:30 p.m. at the Terry Miller Recreation Complex

• Aug. 26 at St. Michael’s Buzzers, 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Arena

• Aug. 30 vs St. Michael’s, 8:30 p.m. at Stouffville Clippers Sports Complex

• Sept. 3 vs Brampton, 2:30 p.m. at Stouffville Arena

The Spirit opens the regular season Saturday, Sept. 8, against the Kingston Voyageurs.