The Saint John Sea Dogs added some experience to their blue line over the holiday weekend.
The team acquired defenceman Julien Lanthier from the Shawinigan Cataractes.
The Sea Dogs sent a second-round draft pick in 2027 and a conditional second-round pick in 2028 the other way.
“Julien is one of the most experienced defencemen in the league,” Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie said in a release.
“We are adding a reliable, high-character, two-way defenceman with more than 30 playoff games of experience who wants to win.”
Lanthier, from Saint-Eustache, Que., was originally drafted 10th overall by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the 2022 QMJHL draft.
The six-foot, 185-pound defenceman had three goals and 12 assists in 43 games last season for Shawinigan, plus another goal and three assists in 11 playoff games.
In 225 career QMJHL games, Lanthier ha s 11 goals and 52 assists.
“I am very excited for this new chapter,” he said. “I can’t wait to join a team that is ready to win.”
In a second trade, the Sea Dogs sent forward William Yared to the Cataractes for a conditional second-round pick in 2029.
“After discussions with William, the timing made sense for a fresh start for him,” Georgie said.
Yared had 10 goals and 15 assists in 48 games last season for the Sea Dogs.
