Beaulieu traded to Armada

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Veteran forward Jacob Beaulieu will have a shot at a Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League championship this season.

On the opening day of the trade period, the Saint John Sea Dogs traded Beaulieu and a second-round pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft pick to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in exchange for 2026 first-round import draft pick and a sixth-round pick in the 2028 QMJHL Entry Draft.

There is another element to this deal that will be completed at this summer's QMJHL Entry Draft.

Beaulieu had been a healthy scratch the past two games, a sure sign that the 19-year-old would be dealt when the trade period opened on Friday morning.

“Jacob plays a fearless style of hockey that is rare to find and highly sought after,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a news release. “This trade will help us in the future while also giving Jacob a chance to chase a Gilles-Courteau Trophy. We want to thank Jacob for his four seasons with the Sea Dogs.”

A seventh-round pick of Saint John in the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft, Beaulieu appeared in 178 games with Saint John over parts of four seasons, recording 13 goals, nine assists and 216 penalty minutes. 

After an up-and-down start to the year that included being a healthy scratch, Beaulieu really found his game over the past month or so, contributing both physically and on the score sheet at times. He's posted four goals and three assists in 20 games this season.

Beaulieu is a throwback player and likely would have been a major name in this league had he played 20 or 30 years ago.

Beaulieu's impact was clearly visible off the ice as well, helping guide a young group of players through some rough waters. There's no doubt the Armada wanted to bring his energy to their group.

The Armada have had some injury woes this season but still sit third overall in the QMJHL standings with a 19-8-4-0 record for 42 points. They have been considered one of the favourites to win the league since the pre-season.

The Sea Dogs visit the Armada on Jan. 17 and host them on March 4.

The QMJHL's trade period ends on Jan. 6.