QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — Back in September the Saint John Sea Dogs had been identified by experts as the team to have the best chance to win the president Cup and represent the QMJHL at the Memorial cup. With two days left before the QMJHL trades deadline (January 7), several teams believe in their chance to go far in the playoff making important moves identifying them as buyers instead of sellers. Teams like Rouyn-Noranda (Huskies), Moncton (Wildcats), Victoriaville (Tigres), Cape Breton (Screaming Eagles) and the Val-d’Or Foreurs made important moves believing in their chances to join Saint John in the big dance when the QMJHL playoff begins.
Let’s take a look at the QMJHL teams’ recent moves.
Back in December, in a minor trade the Acadie Bathurst, Titan sent Andrew Wigginton to Halifax, in return the Mosseheads sent a 9th round pick in 2011 to the Titan.
On December 29th Victoriaville Tigres made an important move acquiring forwards Joel Champagne and Chris Doyle from Prince Edward Island Rocket. In return, the Tigres sent Jonathan Bonneau, Michael Ortika plus number one, third and fourth round pick in 2010 and a second round pick in 2011 to the Rocket.
Also on the 29th, another important trade was confirmed between Val-d’Or Foreurs and Gatineau Olympiques. Val-d’Or sent forwards Alex Noel, Keven Guerette-Charland, defenseman Benjamin Lecomte and a first round pick in 2010, in return Gatineau sent forward Nicolas Boyer, Alexandre Touchette and Alexandre Quesnel plus fifth round pick in 2010 and another fifth round pick in 2011.
Two other trades on December 29th were confirmed involving the Prince Edward Island team. The first one was with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The Rocket acquired veteran 20 years old forward Michael Stinziani, in return the Sags received a fourth round picks in 2010.
The Prince Edward Island Rocket sent Brandon MacLean and a sixth round pick in 2010 to Rouyn-Noranda, in return the Huskies sent forward Brad Yetman.
Two trades were confirmed on December 30th. The first one saw the Prince Edward Island sent veteran goaltender Marco Cousineau to Saint John, in return the Sea Dogs send second round pick (previously belonging to Baie Comeau), fourth round pick (previously belonging to Lewiston previously obtained from Saint John Sea Dogs), fifth round pick (previously belonging to Baie-Comeau) and their seventh round pick all in 2010 to PEI.
The second trade confirmed on December 30th involved Shawinigan Cataractes and the Drummondville Voltigeurs. In a minor move the Cataractes sent left winger (former Montreal Junior first round pick in 2008) Toni Ritter to Drummondville, in return the Voltigeurs sent 8th round pick in 2010.
On December 31st, the Lewiston MAINEiacs sent forwards Sebastien Trudeau, Luke Dillman and a sixth round pick (previously belonged to Rimouski Oceanic) to Acadie Bathurst, the Titan sent forwards Cameron Clitchlow (LW) and Jeff Tanguy (LW) to Lewiston.
The year 2010 began with two minor trades involving Prince Edward Island Rocket. The first one with Moncton saw Wildcats goaltender Wendell Vye went to PEI in return of Rocket 7th round pick in 2010.
In other moves, the Rocket sent goaltender Dwayne Rodrigue to Lewiston, in return of MAINEiacs 7th round pick in 2010.
On January 3rd Quebec and Drummondville confirmed a trade. Unhappy with his goaltenders’ performance since the beginning of the regular season, Quebec general manager Patrick Roy decided to make a move acquiring netminder Antoine Tardif in return of Remparts 4th round pick in 2010.
January 4th was the busiest day in the QMJHL office since December 20th (opening day for trades in the QMJHL). Four trades were confirmed. The first move saw another goaltender changing team. Francois Lacerte who was originally selected by Rimouski Oceanic in fourth round (70th overall) in 2007 has been sent from Shawinigan Cataractes to the Acadie-Bathurst for Titan 7th round pick in 2010.
The second trade on January 4th involved Shawinigan sending defenseman Etienne St. Germain to Quebec; in return the Remparts sent their 3rd round pick in 2010.
Also on January 4th the Drummondville Voltigeurs sent left winger Ryan McKiernan a third round pick in 2010 and the second round pick in 2011 to Acadie-Bathurst in return the Titan sent left winger Remi Blanchard.
Lewiston MAINEiacs sent-back Quebec fifth round pick to the Remparts in compensation for the departure of Dany Coulombe (previously acquired by Quebec for their 5th round selection).
The last trade on January 4th involved Saint John Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes. Saint John sent goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas to Shawinigan, in return the Cataractes sent 6th round pick in 2011 (previously belonging to PEI).
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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