It appears as though the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada are rolling with a completely new tandem this year.
Fresh off of acquiring Habs prospect Arseni Radkov and shipping off Vincent Gladu, the Armada have swung a trade for Nashville Predators prospect Jakub Milota, alongside a sixth round pick, from Cape Breton in exchange for overage goaltender Felix Hamel, forward Eliot L'Italien and import defenseman Samuel Kupec.
Milota, 19, is coming off of an up-and-down season which saw his starting job get challenged by eventual Montreal Canadiens draft prospect Alexis Cournoyer following Milota's slow start to the season. Despite this, Milota still finished with a solid .903 save percentage through 38 games.
The move adds more NHL pedigree between the pipes for the Armada, as well as frees up an overager slot.
Despite giving up a strong asset in Milota, the Eagles have done well with the return from this deal. Hamel, 20, was among the top goaltenders in the QMJHL this past season, boasting a .914 save percentage through 44 games between Shawinigan and Blainville.
L'Italien, 19, is a solid piece as well. A former 8th overall pick in the QMJHL draft, he's a very effective bottom sixer who has good tools but hasn't been able to string it all together to produce effectively at the junior level yet. This change of scenery might be the opportunity he needs to do exactly that.
Of note, Eliot joins his brother Romain, the Eagles fourth overall pick last year, on Cape Breton.
Kupec, 19, on the other hand, is a big, physically imposing, shutdown defenseman who potted just seven points (2+5) through 46 games last year and will likely continue to play a stay-at-home role in Cape Breton, barring he finds the confidence in his offensive game to take more risks.
Shawinigan Trades Goaltender Bresson To Halifax
The Shawinigan Cataractes have made a move today to deal goaltender Owen Bresson to the Halifax Mooseheads, in exchange for a third round pick.
Never want to miss out on any QMJHL news? Make sure to book mark THN's QMJHL site.