QUEBEC CITY P.Q.—Christmas break in the QMJHL isn’t just a period where the league stops their activity; it’s time teams can make trades involving students. From December 20th to January 7, all general managers in the league discuss amongst themselves potential moves that will improve their teams.
Lots of rumors swirled around the league about possible moves with lots of players nervous. Especially the ones who would like to stay with their current team but are rumored to be involved in possible moves. For others who are involved in the rumors and changing team, it’s a chance at a new beginning.
The portion of the regular season leading to the trade season is used by GM’s to access their team weaknesses and try to look for help by acquiring players on another team that will make them better. Whether teams look for very good player or someone who will play on a third line, a defenseman who will be able to play in first or second duo of defensemen, all GMs try to do their best to improve their team.
Let’s have a look at team moves already confirmed.
On Monday December 21st the Acadie Bathurst Titan made three moves. The first one saw GM Sylvain Couturier send goaltender Nicholas Champion and their European first round selection to Rouyn-Noranda. In return, the Huskies sent to the Titans Zach O’Brien, a first round pick in 2011, a second round pick in 2010 and their European first round selection in 2010.
In their second move, Bathurst acquired Christopher Giroux from Baie-Comeau Drakkar sending a third round selection in 2011. The Titans sent Giroux plus a second (previously belonging to Moncton), third round pick in 2010 and fifth round pick in 2011 to Quebec Remparts. In return, Quebec sent to Acadie Bathurst center David Gilbert, a third round (previously belonging to Cape Breton), a fifth round (previously belonging to Saint John) in 2010, and a sixth round selection in 2011.
Other trades on the 21st saw the Saint John Sea Dogs sending Olivier Ouellet to Shawinigan Cataractes. In return Shawinigan sent fifth and sixth round picks in 2010.
Quebec received a sixth round pick in 2011 from Shawinigan in compensation for previous trades involving Sacha Guimond who never came to Quebec. So the Cataractes returned the selection that was the price Quebec paid for Guimond. The trade between the two teams had been made on May 6th 2009.
Eight other moves had been confirmed on Saturday 20th but made on Friday the 19th.
The Val-d’Or Foreurs sent defenseman Christian Morin to Saint John for defenseman Benjamin Lecomte.
Quebec sent forward Julien Corriveau to Val-d’Or for 8th round 2010 (previously belonging to Bathurst).
Halifax sent Alex MacDonald to Moncton for a 12th round pick in 2010.
Prince Edward Island Rockets sent Brandon Street to Victoriaville Tigres, in return Victoriaville sent Bradley MacDonald.
Chicoutimi sent Marc-Andre Carre and Michal Hlinka to Lewiston, in return the MAINEiacs sent Julien Houle and Alexis Piette.
Victoriaville sent Maxime Lamarche and a second round in 2010 to Baie-Comeau, in return the Drakkar sent Guillaume Goulet to the Tigres.
Moncton sent Raphael Bussieres and a first round 2010 to Baie-Comeau, in return the Drakkar sent Gabriel Bourque to the Wildcats.
The last move announced on the 20th but registered to the league on the 19th was between the Shawinigan Cataractes and Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Shawinigan sent Keven Fiset to Baie-Comeau in return for Ryan Labrie.
It will be interesting to see other possible moves until January 7.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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