Few trades made on opening day of trade period

Only four trades were made on Dec. 19, when the annual trading period opened up.

The biggest trade of the day was defenceman Jonathan Narbonne being sent from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada to the Shawinigan Cataractes for a first-round pick in 2012 as well as a third-round pick in 2012, previously owned by Victoriaville.

Narbonne, 19, had six goals for 19 points in 27 games this season.

The second biggest deal of the day was Baie-Comeau trading forward Alexandre Durette and a first-round pick in 2012 (Victoriaville) to the Val-d'Or Foreurs for forward Jean-Francois Leblanc.

Durette, 19, had 10 goals and 39 points in 36 games this season. Leblanc, 18, who had an impressive rookie season last year with 19 goals and 51 points in 63 games, is off to a slow start this season with only a goal and four helpers in 33 games.

The third deal of the day was the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles acquiring 18-year-old defenceman Mikael Langlois from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar for a seventh-round pick in 2012.

Langlois had two assists in 10 games this season. He had eight goals and 21 points last year in 57 games.

A minor trade was also made between Drummondville and Acadie-Bathurst. The Titan sent a 2013 fourth-round pick, originally owned by Drummondville, to the Voltigeurs for a fifth-rounder in 2013.

Busy weekend heading into Christmas break

There are quite a few games slated for this weekend as we enter the final week of action before the league breaks for Christmas.

Tonight, there are eight games in action tonight, combining for 16 of the the league's 17 teams.

First on tonight's schedule are the mighty Saint John Sea Dogs (26-10-0-1) visiting the struggling Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (14-20-0-1) at 7 p.m.

Second on tonight's schedule is the Halifax Mooseheads (21-10-1-2) visiting the Moncton Wildcats (17-16-2-0) at 7 p.m.

The P.E.I. Rocket, the other Maritime Division team in action tonight, are in Quebec to take on Patrick Roy and Mikhail Grigorenko's Remparts. The Rocket are in last place with an 8-22-2-2 record, as the Remparts are in first with an impressive 26-6-2-1 record. Gametime is 8 p.m.

Other Quebec teams in action tonight consist of the Gatineau Olympiques (16-14-2-3) visiting the Drummondville Voltigeurs (13-17-2-3) at 8 p.m, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (17-15-1-1) at Victoriaville Tigres (21-11-0-2), Chicoutimi Sagueneens (16-10-3-5) visiting the Rimouski Oceanic (20-17-0-0), Blainville-Boisbriand Armada(18-14-2-0) at Rouyn-Noranada Huskies (12-23-1-1) and the Shawinigan Cataractes (23-9-2-2) visit the Val-d'Or Foreurs (15-17-0-4).

The schedule loosens up on Saturday with only five games on the board.

The P.E.I. Rocket travel to Rimouski to battle the Oceanic, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (17-17-2-2) travel to Victoriaville, the Olympiques host the Drakkar, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies host Shawnigan and the Armada visit the Foreurs.

On Sunday, only three games are on the schedule with Bathurst visiting Quebec, Halifax in Cape Breton, and Saint John visiting arch-rival Moncton Wildcats.

The trading period opens up on Monday Dec. 19.

In other news, it has been reported that Charlie Coyle will be reporting to the Saint John Sea Dogs. Coyle has left Boston University and is likely to sign with the Sea Dogs. Coyle's departure is due to academic issues.

Coyle, an East Weymouth, M.A., native had three goals and 14 points in 16 games with Boston University this season. The 19-year-old was selected 28th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. His rights were traded to the Minnesota Wild.

VIDEO: NJT - Making Team Canada (QMJHL)

With the selection camp now behind them, how do Canada's National Junior Team members from the QMJHL feel about wearing red and white at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship this year?


Source: Hockey Canada

Rosters Announced For 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the three regional leagues, the Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club, and Home Hardware Stores Limited, today announced the 40 CHL players that will compete in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC, on February 1, 2012.


“The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game showcases 40 of the league’s top prospects eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft,” said CHL President David Branch. “Congratulations to all 40 players selected for this event representing the next wave of talent to the NHL, with the opportunity to showcase their skills before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance and for fans in Kelowna and CHL fans watching live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.”

30 of the CHL’s 59 member clubs are represented in this game including three players from the OHL’s Belleville Bulls. Eight other teams have two players competing in the event including the host Kelowna Rockets who will be represented by forward Colton Sissons and defenceman Damon Severson.

“The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is an event that all NHL scouts look forward to attending,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “The 40 players competing in this game were chosen by the 30 NHL clubs with the game being a unique opportunity to evaluate 40 of the top draft eligible prospects on a single stage in what has annually become an intense competition.”

The rosters include all three players that were ranked first overall in their regional league according to NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Draft Rankings including Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, Mikhail Grigorenko of the Quebec Remparts, and Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips. Murray, along with Tanner Pearson of the Barrie Colts, will compete in this event after representing Canada at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“It is a huge honour to be named to this event and to play alongside some of the best players in the 2012 NHL draft class,” said Murray. “I’ve had some great friends compete in this game including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins last season, and I am really looking forward to this opportunity.”

Both Russian-born top prospects were equally thrilled to be named to the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. “I am very excited to play in the Top Prospects Game,” said Yakupov, last year’s CHL Rookie of the Year who has 49 points in 24 games this season. “I am looking forward to playing against and meeting the other top draft eligible players from the CHL.” Grigorenko, who leads all QMJHL rookies with 56 points in 35 games also commented; “I am honoured to play among the best NHL prospects and it will be a great challenge for me.”

2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters:

Team Orr (White):



Goaltenders:

Malcolm Subban (Belleville Bulls)

Francois Tremblay (Val d’Or Foreurs)



Defencemen:

Gianluca Curcuruto (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Matthew Finn (Guelph Storm)

Olli Maatta (London Knights)

Adam Pelech (Erie Otters)

Derrick Pouliot (Portland Winterhawks)

Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings)



Forwards:

Andreas Athanasiou (London Knights)

Francis Beauvillier (Rimouski Oceanic)

Raphael Bussieres (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers)

Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Remparts)

Tomas Hyka (Gatineau Olympiques)

Scott Kosmachuk (Guelph Storm)

Matia Marcantuoni (Kitchener Rangers)

Tanner Pearson (Barrie Colts)

Colton Sissons (Kelowna Rockets)

Chandler Stephenson (Regina Pats)

Lukas Sutter (Saskatoon Blades)



Team Cherry (Red):



Goaltenders:

Matthew Murray (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Brandon Whitney (Victoriaville Tigres)



Defencemen:

Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67’s)

Mathew Dumba (Red Deer Rebels)

Nick Ebert (Windsor Spitfires)

Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough Petes)

Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips)

Damon Severson (Kelowna Rockets)



Forwards:

Martin Frk (Halifax Mooseheads)

Brendan Gaunce (Belleville Bulls)

Coda Gordon (Swift Current Broncos)

Charles Hudon (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)

Scott Laughton (Oshawa Generals)

Jarrod Maidens (Owen Sound Attack)

Andrew Ryan (Halifax Mooseheads)

Gemel Smith (Owen Sound Attack)

Dominik Volek (Regina Pats)

Thomas Wilson (Plymouth Whalers)

Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting)

Daniil Zharkov (Belleville Bulls)


Source: Canadian Hockey League

Four QMJHL players to represent Team Canada

Four Quebec Major Junior Hockey Players will represent Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship in Calgary, Alta. starting on Boxing Day.

Moncton Wildcats defenseman Brandon Gormley, Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and forward Jonathan Huberdeau, and Shawinigan Cataractes forward Michael Bournival were named to Team Canada this afternoon.

Gormley, a 13th overall pick by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2010, is the captain of the Wildcats in his fourth QMJHL season. So far this season, the 19-year-old Murray River, P.E.I. native has 10 goals and 27 points in 18 games.

Beaulieu, also in his fourth QMJHL season, is coming off a terrific year after winning the Memorial Cup with the Sea Dogs and getting drafted 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in this past summer's draft. In 30 games this season, the Strathroy, Ont. native has eight goals and 26 points.

Joining Beaulieu is fellow teammate Jonathan Huberdeau. Huberdeau is coming off a Memorial Cup championship in which he finished the tournament with three goals and six points in four games. The Sea Dogs captain went third-overall with the Florida Panthers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has scored 10 goals and 28 points in 13 games. Huberdeau had 43 goals and 105 points in 67 games last season. He has been out of action for several weeks with an injury and hopes to be back in time for the tournament.

Bournival is in his fourth season with the Cataractes and is the team captain. He was a third-round pick by Colorado in 2010 but is now in the Montreal Canadiens' system. In 16 games this season, Bournival has posted 15 goals and 24 points.

Quebec Remparts goaltender Louis Domingue was cut earlier today and Victoriaville Tigres forward Phillip Danault was a late cut.

Danault said he respects the team's decision in an interview with TSN.

"If they win the gold medal, I'll respect it more for sure."

Danault scored two goals for Team Canada in a 7-4 win over the CIS All-Stars.

Zack Phillips, Saint John, and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski, were part of the first round of cuts on made Tuesday.

Canada opens the tournament on boxing day against Finland. Gametime is 4:30 p.m. Atlantic time.

Team Canada roster:

Goaltenders
Mark Visentin, Niagara (OHL)
Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth (OHL)

Defenseman
Nathan Beaulieu, Saint John (QMJHL)
Brandon Gormley, Moncton (QMJHL)
Dougie Hamilton, Niagara (OHL)
Scott Harrington, London (OHL)
Ryan Murray, Everett (WHL)
Jamie Oleksiak, Saginaw (OHL)
Mark Pysyk, Edmonton (WHL)

Forwards
Michael Bournival, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Brett Connolly, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver (WHL)
Freddie Hamilton, Niagara (OHL)
Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John (QMJHL)
Boone Jenner, Oshawa (OHL)
Tanner Pearson, Barrie (OHL)
Mark Scheifele, Barrie (OHL)
Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College (WCHA)
Devante Smith-Pelly, Anaheim (NHL)
Mark Stone, Brandon (WHL)
Ryan Strome, Niagara (OHL)

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Rocket acquire Bernard

The P.E.I. Rocket have acquired 20-year-old forward Jessyko Bernard from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Going the other way is P.E.I.'s eighth-round pick in 2014.

The Dalhousie, N.B. native had 25 goals last year with the Huskies and has recorded seven goals and 16 points in 18 games with the Huskies this season.

P.E.I. will be Bernard's third stop in his QMJHL career after spending time with the Huskies and the Halifax Mooseheads.