WILDCATS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

Despite the fact that the Moncton Wildcats are 18 points behind Saint John for first place in the Atlantic division, they are ready to make a serious run at the QMJHL title.

"When we found out that Nicola Riopel was on his way back, we felt that we owed it to our team to try to get a little older upfront," said Moncton head coach and director of hockey operations Danny Flynn to the Times & Transcript. "We went after two of the top forwards in the league that we felt would be on the move in the trade period."

Moncton acqired Anaheim Ducks prospect Nicolas Deschamps yesterday from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The price was high to acquire the talented forward as they gave up Matthew Bissonnette, Jeremy Barriault, a 2010 fourth round draft pick, and a 2011 first roound pick.

The Wildcats have already been buyers this season as they acquired Gabriel Bourque earlier this week. Bourque is currently playing for Team Canada at the world juniors.

"We think that if we can get everybody healthy and everybody committed to team goals that we have a chance to make some noise," said Flynn. "We've had an incredible run of injuries and we still haven't been able to get our lines set or our team set.

"We've added two quality forwards in Bourque and Deschamps. Riopel was the best goalie in the league last season and he's coming back. MacDonald was a quiet addition on defence and he's going to get an opportunity to prove himself. We've definitely improved our team."

Moncton next plays Saint John on New Year's Eve at the Coliseum.

The Sea Dogs appear to be holding out a bit as their plans remain a mystery to everyone. They've only made two minor moves but are expected to make some noise. There is no doubt that the Sea Dogs may be getting some itchy feet while watching the Wildcats improve greatly.

There were some other trades yesterday. Shawinigan traded defenceman Adam Bourque-Leblanc, 20, and forward Christophe Tremblay, 17, to Chicoutimi yesterday. It acquired forward Jean-Philippe Foucher, 17, and a fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

Shawinigan sent forward Maxime Legault, 20, a fourth-round draft pick in 2010 and a second-round draft pick in 2011 to Cape Breton yesterday. It acquired forward Maxmilien Le Sieur, 17, defenceman Michael Ward, 20, a second-round draft pick in 2010 and a first-round draft pick in 2011.