Spirit promote rookie Robert Proner
He will add some much needed depth to a decimated defensive unit...
Posted In:
Sports,
Saginaw Spirit,
By: 
Jason Marcoux
02nd March, 2016
Earlier today, the Saginaw Spirit announced the promotion of rookie defenseman Robert Proner from the Cambridge (ON) Winterhawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Spirit broadcasting and communications director Joey Bataino tweeted that Proner will be joining the team as they prepare to host the Flint Firebirds tomorrow night for the final meeting of the inaugural I-75 Divide Cup series at the Dow Event Center.
Proner -who was born in Presov, Slovakia and grew up in Oakville, Ontario- was Saginaw's second pick (30 overall) in the second round of the 2015 OHL priority selection draft.
He will join fellow Spirit 2015 draft picks Brady Gilmour, Kirill Maksimov, and Cole Coskey on the Saginaw roster.
Proner, Glimour, Maksimov, and fellow Spirit draft pick; goalie, Brendan Bonello, were all chosen to participate in the 2015 OHL Gold Cup in Kitchener, ON this past May, a tournament which featured the top 160 OHL skaters under the age of 16 from Ontario.
The 6 foot 2 inch, 212 pound defenceman recorded 9-goals and 29-assists for 29-points and 153 penalty minutes in 47 games for the Winterhawks this season. He also spent 4 games with the Spirit earlier in the season where he recorded one assist before re-joining his GOJHL team in Cambridge.
Proner, who will turn 17 a week from Saturday, will add some much needed depth to a decimated Spirit defensive group who recently lost veteran Chase Stewart after he left the team to pursue other non-hockey related opportunities.
