Quebec trade brings new goaltender

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — With last trading period in QMJHL beginning on December 12 until January 6 at 12:00pm several movements from different teams were already confirmed. In Quebec, General Manager Philippe Boucher pulled the trigger on a minor trade as the trading period began, but on Monday January 2nd Boucher announced two important trades.

In the first move on Monday morning, Boucher answered a request made some time ago by one of his player who asked to be traded. As the reason for the trade request stayed confidential, Quebec right winger Derek Gentile had requested a trade. Trying to accommodate his forward request Quebec general Manager and head coach finally found a partner to conclude a trade.

As most of preceding offer received for Quebec right winger were draft picks, Quebec G.M. received an offered from Charlottetown Islanders G.M. and head coach Jim Hulton that was judged satisfying for but sided to make the trade official.

Showing a record of 14 goals 19 assists in 37 games, Derek Gentile requested at mi-December has been answered as he took direction of Charlottetown with a third round selection in 2019. In return, Quebec received 18-year old forward Matthew Grouchy and 1- year old center Gregor MacLeod.

If MacLeod is considered a great center who is good defensively able to play on third line, Grouchy will take Gentile’s place on second line been bigger at 6’00” 170 pound can be more physical and generate good production with 33 points in 37 games.

Later in same day Quebec announced another trade this time making a goaltender acquisition. As Quebec already has had a good offense and also been well defensively the Remparts unfortunately given too many goals lately. As Quebec G.M. and head coach Boucher tried to help his number one goalie Dereck Baribeau Boucher found one of the best QMJHL netminder in Antoine Samuel who had made 44 saves out of Quebec 45 shots no less than last Saturday in Drakkar 4-1 win.

So discussing trade with Baie-Comeau G.M. Steve Ahern, Quebec General Manager offered 20 years old veteran left winger Luke Kirwan who Quebec brought as free agent (October 17-2017) from Ontario Hockey League as Kirwan did not been claimed by any other O.H.L. teams plus two second round picks (one in 2019, other in 2020). In 21 games in Quebec the veteran left winger showed a record of 12 goals 9 assists for 21 points in 28 games.

In a preceding moved on December 12-2017, Boucher made first acquisition sending center Liam Leonard drafted in 7th round (116th overall) in 2016 to Acadie-Bathurst. In return, the Titans sent to Quebec goaltender Dominik Tmje who had been an invite at Acadie-Bathurst training camp last August.

In another move on December 18-2017, Quebec acquired center Pascal Laberge a Philadelphia Flyers 2nd round selection (36th overall) in 2016. In return Quebec sent to Victoriaville a second round selection in 2018 and a 3rd round selection in 2019 both selections previously belonging to Saint John.

In return, Quebec got 20-year old goaltender Antoine Samuel and a fifth round selection in 2019.

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com