Frontenacs send Tyler Hopkins to Guelph in a trade

Kingston receives 17-year-old forward Alex McLean plus a package of draft picks.

It appears the Kingston Frontenacs are starting to look ahead towards the 2026-2027 OHL season.

General manager Kory Cooper announced a trade on Sunday sending forward Tyler Hopkins to the Guelph Storm. The Frontenacs received forward Alex McLean and four draft picks: a conditional 2027 second-round pick that was originally from Kitchener, a 2026 third-round pick originally from Saginaw, a 2027 fifth-round pick originally from North Bay, and Guelph's seventh-round pick in 2029.

Hopkins will turn 19 in January and will be close to his hometown of Campbellville. The third-year Maple Leafs prospect was the team leader in scoring this season with 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 29 games prior to the trade.

The Frontenacs receive the 17-year-old draft-eligible McLean who was the Storm's first-round selection (9th overall) in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. The Perth native is in his second season scoring 7 goals and 14 assists in 30 games.

“Alex is a young, talented player with strong offensive ability and a high hockey IQ,” said Frontenacs General Manager Kory Cooper in a news release. 

“He competes every shift and will fit well within our team culture and structure.”

As for Hopkins, Cooper said it was not an easy decision to part ways with a talented player but the move will allow them to build toward their long-term goals. 

Hopkins will be in Kingston on Wednesday, this time as an opponent.

The Frontenacs and the Storm face off in a New Year's Eve clash at Slush Puppie Place. If you can't make it to the game, catch the action with Jim Gilchrist on New Country 98.9 on Upper Canada Fuel and Burner Frontenacs hockey starting at 2 pm.

Story by Ken Hashizume