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The Art of Asset Management

By Jeff Nagle

Three seasons ago the Riverview Royals drafted Quintin Byfield first overall in the Season 9 Entry Draft. The pick was looked at as the potential future for the Royals. Byfield would serve as a top 6 understudy for the rest of the start laden Royals roster. However, after stumbling out of the gate, and perhaps a short attention span, the Royals promptly dealt him to the rebuilding Miramichi Moose. In return they shored up their top 6 forward group by acquiring Sebastien Aho, and upgraded their top 4 defenseman with Zach Werenski. The core was established.


Fast forward three seasons, the Royals after not accomplishing an ODBHL Cup win, have decided to retool, and in doing so, moved out talent that they didn't see as part of the future core. Here is where asset management has to be keenly followed to ensure that your team gets every drop of value out of what it is selling off.

This is how it all went down...

The trade that kicked if all off:

Riverview Royals send Alex Pietrangelo , Quinton Byfield to the Miramichi Moose for Sebastian Aho, Zach Werenski

Royals send off future superstar Byfield and an aging star defenseman in Pietrangelo to acquire two pieces at the start of their primes.

Fast forward three seasons....

Riverview Royals send Zach Werenski, Jake Dotchin to the Moncton Melons for Martin Fehervary, S13 MON 3, S15 MON 1, Future Considerations

Moncton kicked off season 12 on a terrible losing streak and sought out a big change to their lineup, the Royals, seeing the opportunity sent off Werenski to the Melons (which turned out to be the secret to the Melons resurgence ever since). In the deal, the Royals pick up two first round picks and a very serviceable defenseman in Fehervary.

Miramichi Moose send S13 RIV 1, S14 SOU 1, S14 BAT 2, Martin Kaut to the Riverview Royals for Sebastian Aho

The Royals contacted GM Ashton of the Moose and kicked the tires on a reunion of the might Aho back to Miramichi. The Moose were ready, and so the Aho went home. They key to the deal was the Royals receiving their first round pick in the upcoming draft. Wanting to be a part of the lottery, the Royals dealt off their greatest asset to the Moose.

Albert County Renegade send Shayne Gostisbehere, Andrew Ference, S14 ALB2 to the Riverview Royals for Martin Fehervary

Wanting to flip assets for even more draft capital, the Royals promptly sent Martin Fehervary to the rival Albert County Renegade. The Renegade were starving for a quality depth defenseman in his prime, and Fehervary fit the bill to a tee. In return the Royals pick up a bit more draft capital and a young prospect defenseman in Ference. Both assets are project-like prospects, however, they are prospects nonetheless.

Overall, the haul the Royals have managed to receive for a first overall draft pick is impressive. Some would argue that Byfield alone is worth the entire haul and more. But for a team like the Royals who a season ago didn't have one prospect under the age of 20, now have an impressive amount of draft capital in the pipeline, and now a farm system worthy of watching. 

Here's the final breakdown of the asset management of Quintin Byfield:

Out:

Alex Pietrangelo - Aging star veteran defenseman

Quinton Byfield - Potential superstar prospect

Jake Dotchin - Depth defenseman

In:

Martin Kaut - Depth forward

Shayne Gostisbehere - Aging depth defenseman 

Andrew Ference - Low ceiling prospect defenseman

S13 RIV 1, S14 SOU 1, S15 MON 1

S14 BAT 2, S14 ALB2

S13 MON 3

4/22/2025 - 592 words


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