Gagne Signs Deal With Ducks

Former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Kevin Gagne has reportedly signed an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. The news was first reported by Mikael Lalancette of TVA Sports.

For Gagne, who attended Hamilton Bulldogs training camp last Fall but did not sign with the American Hockey League club, it is his first National Hockey League contract.

The Edmundston native played four-and-a-half seasons with the Sea Dogs before being traded to Rimouski in December. Saint John traded the 20-year old defenseman to the Oceanic in exchange for a 2013 first- and sixth-round pick and a 2014 fourth-round pick (Cape Breton).

Gagne is having an unreal season, averaging over a point per game. He is tied for the league lead in defensemen scoring with 67 points in 56 games. He is also tied for the d-man lead in goals with 17 and assists with 50.

In 31 games in the first half with Saint John, Gagne registered 11 goals and 23 assists in 31 games. In 25 games with Rimouski, he has six goals and 27 assists.

The Oceanic sit fourth overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with a 38-15-3-6 record. They are two points back of the second-place Baie-Comeau Drakkar, so a first-round playoff matchup with Saint John is certainly possible.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation