Sea Dogs trade Stewart to Oceanic

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QUISPAMSIS, NB - A trade between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Rimouski Oceanic was announced on Sunday morning.

The Sea Dogs traded 20-year-old defenceman Chase Stewart and a 2019 eighth-round pick to the Oceanic in exchange for 17-year-old defenceman Alexis Girard and 19-year-old forward Daniel Hardie.

Stewart joined the Sea Dogs last season after playing the previous two years with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. He recorded three goals and 11 points in 48 games with Saint John along with three assists in 18 playoff games. He was solid defensively and proved to be one of the hardest hitters in the league.

The move leaves Saint John with four overage players: defencemen Alex Bernier and Bailey Webster along with forwards Kyle Ward and Cole Reginato.

Losing Stewart is no doubt a loss on the backend for Saint John. But, in terms of asset management, this seems like a solid move. The Dogs picked up Stewart as a free agent and have now flipped him for a couple of younger players. Plus, the move helps Saint John's overage situation a bit.

Girard, who will turn 18 in December, was a fifth-round pick of Rimouski in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. He was held pointless in 46 games with the Oceanic last season.

Hardie joined the Oceanic last year after playing a couple seasons in the OJHL. The Georgetown, Ont. native had 18 goals and 20 assists in 45 games with Rimouski.

Saint John's next preseason game isn't until Sept. 14 in Fredericton.