Sea Dogs sign Hungerbuhler; Leblanc traded

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs made a couple roster moves on the eve of the QMJHL's trade deadline.

The team announced this evening that they've signed defenceman Tyler Hungerbuhler as a free agent. The 17-year-old attended Saint John's training camp but did not appear in any pre-season games.

Listed at 6’3″ and 183 lbs., the Rosemere, Que. native has five goals and 15 points in 30 games in his first season with the Montreal-Nord Arctic of the LHJAAAQ.

“We’re very happy to have Tyler commit to the Sea Dogs,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie. “We got to see him for a couple of days in training camp and he impressed us. He’s a right-handed shot and gives us another young option on the blueline.”

Meanwhile, in a deal the league has yet to confirm, the Sea Dogs have traded forward Samuel Leblanc to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Transaction LHJMQ: Samuel Leblanc des Sea Dogs passe à l’Armada en retour d’un choix de 6e tour 2018. #tvasports

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) January 5, 2018

Leblanc has been used sparingly by the Sea Dogs this season. He has appeared in 19 games, recording two assists.

The 18-year-old was a 13th-round pick of Saint John in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. The Dieppe native appeared in 54 games with the club last season, registering seven goals and seven assists.

The QMJHL's trade deadline is tomorrow afternoon.