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Sunday, August 22, 2010

DOGS ADD PICHE TO CROWDED CREASE

The crease at Saint John Sea Dogs Training Camp just got bigger.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League website reported earlier today that the Sea Dogs have acquired goaltender Frederic Piche from the Drummondville Voltigeurs in exchange for a tenth round draft pick in the 2010 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Piche, a 19-year old, has two years of QMJHL experience under his belt. This makes him and Karel St. Laurent the only goaltenders at Saint John camp with any games played in the league.

In twenty-two appearances with Drummondville last season, Piché registered a 9-6 record in addition to a goals against average of 2.83 and a save percentage of 0.857. The 6’1”, 188 lb. net minder also recorded one shutout for the Voltigeurs during the 2009-10 campaign.

Originally selected by Acadie-Bathurst in the sixth round, 83rd overall, in the 2008 QMJHL Entry Draft, Piché recorded a 4.03 G.A.A. and a 0.894 save percentage with the Titan during his rookie season of 2008-09.

A native of Val-des-Monts, QC, Piché was traded from Acadie-Bathurst to Drummondville on August 10, 2009 in exchange for a fifth round pick at the 2011 QMJHL Entry Draft.

According to the Sea Dogs Twitter page, “in four career starts at Harbour Station, Frédéric Piché has a G.A.A. of 2.67 and a SV% of 0.912.”

There are now eight goaltenders on the Sea Dogs’ roster – with none of them ever carrying a team as a number one net minder.

Saint John signed a goaltender at this time last season as well in Marc-Antoine Gelinas. Much like Piche, Gelinas did not have a background as being an elite puck stopper in the QMJHL. But Gelinas silenced all of his doubters, carrying to Saint John into a first place finish at the half way point of the 2009-10 season.

The move has created many questions about Saint John’s questionable goaltending going in to the season. Some of those questions could be answered when the trade deadline rolls along on Monday morning.

- With files from SaintJohnSeaDogs.com

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