Let’s Make A Deal – QMJHL Trade Period Opens In One Month

We take a look at the teams expected to be the most active when the QMJHL Christmas trade period opens next month.

‘Tis the season. With the QMJHL holiday trade period around the corner, the buyers are beginning to stand out.

The Halifax Mooseheads, currently ranked first in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10 Rankings, will be looking to solidify their 20-year-old situation. With only two over-agers on their roster, The Herd have an available spot to acquire an impact veteran to join American forward Brody Fournier and Import defenseman David Moravec. Expect General Manager Cam Russell to be extremely aggressive in an attempt to bring a championship back to Halifax for the first time in ten years.

Another team expected to make big moves is Rouyn-Noranda. The Huskies made a splash at the 2023 QMJHL Draft by acquiring Antonin Verreault from the Gatineau Olympiques along with goaltender William Rousseau, a 2022 Memorial Cup Champion with the Quebec Remparts. Currently ranked fourth in the CHL Top 10, the Huskies are built to win. In only his second season as General Manager, Yannick Gaucher will do whatever it takes to get his team to the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Michigan.

Not to be counted out is Drummondville. With the addition of 2021 QMJHL first overall pick, Ethan Gauthier, joining the likes of Luke Woodworth, Maveric Lamoureux, Justin Cote and Tyler Peddle, the Voltigeurs will be all-in. Their passionate fan base have been waiting since 2009 to celebrate another QMJHL Championship and the organization have the pieces in place to make it happen.

Lastly, we have the Victoriaville. General Manager Kevin Cloutier made some noise at last June’s draft by acquiring Noah Warren from the Gatineau Olympiques. The Tigres are backstopped by the reigning Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year, Nathan Darveau. Adding some depth to go along with their balanced group of forwards as well as a strong backend will make them a serious contender for the Gilles Courteau Trophy.

The hottest ticket on the market is Tristan Luneau who is currently with the American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls. Property of the Gatineau Olympiques, the six-foot-two defenseman is a sure bet to represent Canada at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Anaheim Ducks prospect will cost a fortune but he’s worth every dollar. 

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