After three months of alternating goalies, the IceHawks have dealt Dillon Branco to the Hamilton Red Wings.

“Both goaltenders are No. 1s in this league,” said Milton general manager Dean Piett. “Both of them have played well but not to the best of their ability. If they’re going to do that, they need to play more.”

Apart from a stretch in early October when Branco started five straight games, neither goalie had more than two consecutive starts. Piett said the ideal situation is to have one goalie playing the majority of the games while developing a younger goalie in the backup role. He said he’s known since the beginning of the season he would have to move one of his netminders but said it takes time for other teams to assess their needs. The IceHawk GM said Hamilton was interested in Branco because of his playoff experience, which included backstopping Milton to a first-round upset of the Red Wings last season.

Piett said the timing of the deal also works because the date for teams to trim their roster is approaching and Milton hopes to acquire a back-up, much like it did last season when they picked Zoffranieri from Orangeville.

Branco, 19, had a 5-9-2 record in 16 games this season with a 3.97 average and .900 save percentage but had played the majority of the games against the division’s top teams. Zoffranieri is 8-3-1 with a 3.34 average and .912 save percentage

Though Milton received cash and no players in the deal, Piett said that is not an indication that the team is already looking ahead to next year.

“I liked our club coming into the season. We’ve had some tough losses, but this is not a rebuild,” he said. “We’re still looking at adding pieces for this year.”

On his wish list are an experienced defenceman and a couple of strong, physical forwards.