Sea Dogs Acquire Danny Chiasson

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a minor trade today, acquiring forward Danny Chiasson and a 12^th round pick in the 2012 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in exchange for an 11^th round pick in next year’s draft.

Chiasson spent the first-half of the year with the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s Dieppe Commandos, recording 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 32 games. The 19-year old Edmunston native leads the squad in goals, assists and points.

According to a Sea Dogs release, “Chiasson contracted mononucleosis last summer and got off to a slow start to the MHL season, going pointless in seven of his first eight games. He has been held off the scoresheet just four times in the 24 games since, racking up 39 points over that stretch.”

Although he is currently playing in the MHL, he has two seasons of QMJHL experience. He has spent parts of the past two campaigns with the Rimouski Oceanic, Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Drakkar, registering a total of two goals and 10 assists in 87 games. Last season he played with both the Titan and the Drakkar, scoring a goal and seven assists in 46 games.

"We are happy to add Danny to our organization. While he will continue his season with the Dieppe Commandos of the Maritime Hockey League, he will provide much needed depth as an affiliate player," said Sea Dogs associate coach and director of hockey operations Mike Kelly in a release.

“Playing with seadogs on the 28!! #sick #lhjmq,” tweeted Chiasson on Tuesday. Saint John plays in Bathurst on December 28 at the KC Irving Regional Centre.

The Sea Dogs will need some offensive depth over the next few weeks with Jonathan Huberdeau, Tomas Jurco, and Oliver Cooper away taking part in international tournaments. Ryan Tesink and Stanislav Galiev remain injured while Devon Oliver-Dares has not played since hitting his head on the ice following a fight on December 11.

This is the first trade the Sea Dogs have made since the window opened on Monday. Teams are permitted to make transactions up until the deadline on January 7.