London Knights Flip Julian Brown and Build for the Future
Right now, one of the biggest talking points in junior hockey is the latest move by the London Knights, and it’s trending because it shows, once again, how calculated and patient this organization can be when managing its roster.
What happened is fairly straightforward on the surface. The Knights traded defenseman Julian Brown to the Owen Sound Attack. In return, London picked up two future third-round draft picks and the rights to a young, towering defense prospect named Jacob Vandeven. But when you zoom out, this trade is about much more than one player changing teams.
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Julian Brown is a 2006-born defenseman who joined the Knights as a free agent last summer after playing in the BCHL. He brought size, edge, and a physical presence on the blue line, and he quickly became a reliable everyday OHL player. For Owen Sound, this move came at a crucial moment. They had just dealt away their captain, David Bedkowski, and didn’t want to lose their physical identity heading toward the stretch run. Brown fits that need perfectly, offering toughness and familiarity with the league.
For London, though, the focus is clearly on long-term asset management. This is why the story is trending now. The Knights essentially signed Brown for nothing, developed him into a useful piece, and then turned him into multiple future assets. That approach has become a pattern. We’ve seen similar moves before, where London leverages free-agent signings into draft capital at the right time.
The most intriguing part of the return is Jacob Vandeven. He’s a 6-foot-6 defenseman, still only 17, and already showing offensive upside at the GOHL level. Players with that kind of size don’t come around often, and London’s scouting staff has been tracking him closely. Add in two third-round picks spread out over future drafts, and the Knights have given themselves flexibility to either draft, develop, or use those picks in future trades.
The impact of this move depends on which side you’re looking at. Owen Sound gets immediate help and maintains its edge for a playoff push. London, meanwhile, continues to quietly reload, stacking picks and prospects without sacrificing its long-term vision.
This trade reinforces why the Knights are often seen as one of the smartest-run franchises in the OHL. They’re not just thinking about today’s lineup, but about where the team will be years down the road. And as the trade deadline buzz continues, this move stands as another reminder that London is always playing the long game.
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