This year, the QMJHL is taking its trading window very seriously. The window opened at the start of the holiday break, back on Dec. 18, and closes for good for this season on Jan. 5. Already, as of Dec. 31, there has been a whopping 26 trades pulled off.
A few moves have been major, most have been minor, but nary a team has escaped unaltered, so far. All 18 teams made at least one transaction, relocating 41 players and dispersing 34 future draft picks.
Fourth-place Val D'or has been very active in the market, adding six players to its roster, including American goalie Jeremy Duchesne, who is property of the Philadelphia Flyers. Val D'or also added German center Felix Schutz, who is property of the Buffalo Sabres.
On the other side of the equation, St. John was just as busy rebuilding and reloading a team that has spent this season at the foot of the QMJHL table. The Sea Dogs added goalie Travis Fullerton, draft-eligible forward Keven Guerette-Charland, rookie center Alexandre Leduc and big forward Kyle Kelly with some of its many moves.
Baie-Comeau landed defenseman J.P. Paquet, who is property of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shawnigan landed overage forward Kevin Cormier, owned by Phoenix, as well as a pair of draft-eligible players in defenseman Adam Bourque-LeBlanc and left wing Francis Filion. Victoriaville obtained Kyell Henegan, a left wing prospect with the New Jersey Devils to go along with two other young forwards.
Acadie-Bathurst plucked Finnish rookie Roopertti Martikainen from Moncton and also added over-age forward Charles Bergeron. Rimouski added veteran goalie Ben McFarlane. St. John's also added an older goalie in Pierre-Alexandre Marion. PEI added a veteran defensive presence by importing Luciano Lommano and Benoit Gervais. Finally, Gatineau added goalie Ryan Moir and over-age defender P.M. Guilbault.
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Baie-Comeau forward Francois Bouchard was named QMJHL Offensive Player of the Week, for the week ending Dec. 31. The 18-year-old right wing, drafted last year by Washington, had two goals and seven assists in three games this week.
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Victoriaville goalie Jean-Christophe Blanchard was named Defensive Player of the Week for that same period. Blanchard, 19, faced 100 shots in three games this weekend. He stopped 92 of those offerings to present the Tigres with three wins.
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Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and interim general manager Jacques Beaulieu was suspended two games and his organization was fined $1,000 in the fallout for an incident earlier this month in which Sea Dogs players were asked to sign the Canadian flag and the public statements and comments made in regards to Dave Bouchard, who did not sign the flag. According ton the league, those actions violated the recently adopted QMJHL anti-discrimination policy.
A few moves have been major, most have been minor, but nary a team has escaped unaltered, so far. All 18 teams made at least one transaction, relocating 41 players and dispersing 34 future draft picks.
Fourth-place Val D'or has been very active in the market, adding six players to its roster, including American goalie Jeremy Duchesne, who is property of the Philadelphia Flyers. Val D'or also added German center Felix Schutz, who is property of the Buffalo Sabres.
On the other side of the equation, St. John was just as busy rebuilding and reloading a team that has spent this season at the foot of the QMJHL table. The Sea Dogs added goalie Travis Fullerton, draft-eligible forward Keven Guerette-Charland, rookie center Alexandre Leduc and big forward Kyle Kelly with some of its many moves.
Baie-Comeau landed defenseman J.P. Paquet, who is property of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shawnigan landed overage forward Kevin Cormier, owned by Phoenix, as well as a pair of draft-eligible players in defenseman Adam Bourque-LeBlanc and left wing Francis Filion. Victoriaville obtained Kyell Henegan, a left wing prospect with the New Jersey Devils to go along with two other young forwards.
Acadie-Bathurst plucked Finnish rookie Roopertti Martikainen from Moncton and also added over-age forward Charles Bergeron. Rimouski added veteran goalie Ben McFarlane. St. John's also added an older goalie in Pierre-Alexandre Marion. PEI added a veteran defensive presence by importing Luciano Lommano and Benoit Gervais. Finally, Gatineau added goalie Ryan Moir and over-age defender P.M. Guilbault.
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Baie-Comeau forward Francois Bouchard was named QMJHL Offensive Player of the Week, for the week ending Dec. 31. The 18-year-old right wing, drafted last year by Washington, had two goals and seven assists in three games this week.
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Victoriaville goalie Jean-Christophe Blanchard was named Defensive Player of the Week for that same period. Blanchard, 19, faced 100 shots in three games this weekend. He stopped 92 of those offerings to present the Tigres with three wins.
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Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and interim general manager Jacques Beaulieu was suspended two games and his organization was fined $1,000 in the fallout for an incident earlier this month in which Sea Dogs players were asked to sign the Canadian flag and the public statements and comments made in regards to Dave Bouchard, who did not sign the flag. According ton the league, those actions violated the recently adopted QMJHL anti-discrimination policy.
