In summary, 56 players and 73 draft picks were exchanged once the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League trade period wrapped up January 6.
When all was said and done, 56 players and 73 draft picks were exchanged once the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League trade period wrapped up January 6. Over the course of three weeks, five teams stood out as serious contenders to represent the QMJHL at the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Michigan. Baie-Comeau, Drummondville, Halifax, Rouyn-Noranda and Victoriaville made the most noise with an all-in mentality.
Leading the Eastern Conference by a wide margin, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar elected to add a 19-year-old at every position with the additions of goaltender Charles-Edward Gravel from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, defenseman Angus Booth from the Shawinigan Cataractes and forward Donovan Arsenault from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
The Halifax Mooseheads, who are 13 points behind Baie-Comeau, waited until the 11th hour to find a dance partner. 20-year-old forward Lou-Felix Denis and Import Jan Sprynar made the move to Moose Country from Shawinigan. Two additions who will round out an already impressive top six in Halifax. It wasn’t all good news for The Herd as Jordan Dumais aggravated an injury to both hips and will out indefinitely.
The battle for top spot in the Western Conference is up for grabs with only six points separating three teams: Drummondville, Rouyn-Noranda and Victoriaville.
The Voltigeurs were serious buyers with the acquisitions of defensemen Mikael Huchette and Vsevolod Komarov along with Kassim Gaudet from the 2023 Memorial Cup Champion, Quebec Remparts. Another notable acquisition saw the Volts acquire Alexis Gendron from the Gatineau Olympiques. Gendron netted 55 goals during the 2022/2023 season.
Samuel Savoie, who hasn’t played in the QMJHL this season due to an injury suffered at Chicago Blackhawks training camp, appears healthy and ready to go as the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forked out six draft picks to acquire the 19-year-old forward. In addition to Savoie, the Huskies landed one of the most highly coveted defenseman on the market by acquiring Ty Higgins from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Tristan Luneau will return home to complete his QMJHL career. The 2020 1st overall was acquired by the Victoriaville Tigres. Luneau is currently injured and it’s unclear when he will return to the ice. Many conditions are attached to the deal as the Tigres paid only a fifth-round pick for the biggest wildcard available. The final price will be determined based on the number of games played.
What started out as a very quiet trade period ended with some deals being made official after Saturday’s deadline. With rosters finalized, the race is on for the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
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