Reports: Sea Dogs to acquire Bourque

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The Saint John Sea Dogs will acquire Montreal Canadiens prospect Simon Bourque today, according to reports.

Both RDS and TVA Sports are reporting that the Sea Dogs will acquire Bourque and a second-round pick in 2018 in exchange for defenceman Vincent Martineau, a first in 2018, a first in 2020 and a second in 2019.

Confirmé l'espoir des @CanadiensMTL Simon Bourque prend le chemin des @SJSeaDogs #LHJMQ

— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) December 30, 2016

Bourque et un 2e en 2018 / contre Vincent Martineau - 1er 2018+ 1er 2020 + 2e  2019. #Oceanic #SeaDogs #LHJMQ

— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) December 30, 2016

Transaction #LHJMQ: Simon Bourque sera un Sea Dogs aujourd'hui. Vincent Martineau et des choix de repêchage impliqués. #tvasports

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) December 30, 2016

Les détails: Simon Bourque et choix de 2e tour 2018 en retour de Vincent Martineau et choix de 1er tour 2018, 1er tour 2020 et 2e tour 2019.

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) December 30, 2016

UPDATE: The Oceanic are confirming the trade.

Simon Bourque échangé aux @SJSeaDogs ! pic.twitter.com/mYGOJulbOz

— Océanic de Rimouski (@oceanicrimouski) December 30, 2016

The 19-year-old defenceman has been Rimouski's captain for the past two seasons. In 218 career QMJHL games, Bourque has 33 goals and 88 assists. He's added one goal and 11 assists in 34 playoff games. At the 2015 Memorial Cup, Bourque had one assist.

This season, Bourque has eight goals and 20 assists in 29 games.

A sixth-round pick of the Habs in the 2015 NHL Draft, Bourque appeared in three games with the AHL's St. John's IceCaps last year, recording an assist.

The move is a big one for the Sea Dogs, but one that isn't overly surprising. With the Charlottetown Islanders loading up on defence and Saint John losing Luke Green, it's not a shock to see the Dogs add a d-man. Bourque is considered one of the best in the QMJHL.

This deal has been rumoured for a while. Original speculation had this transaction being a three team deal, with Martineau ending up in Val-d'Or. We'll soon see if that is true.

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