Deadline day news and notes

It was a busy trading period for the Saint John Sea Dogs, which ended with an even busier deadline day on Sunday.

The Sea Dogs made a total of eight trades during the transaction period - five of which were finalized on Sunday. Here are some news and notes from this past weekend's activities.

• With Saint John picking up a first round pick from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the Alex D'Orio trade, the Sea Dogs now have six first round picks over the next three drafts - one in 2019 (BLB), three in 2020 (SJ, DRU and BAC) and two in 2021 (SJ and HAL).
• D'Orio has a legitimate shot at another QMJHL title. The Drakkar currently sit third overall in the QMJHL standings - just six points back of the first-place Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
• The Drakkar visit Harbour Station on Jan. 25.
• The acquisition of Zachary Bouthillier really solidifies Saint John's goaltending for the rest of the season. A Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, Bouthillier will likely be back next season to be Saint John's No. 1.
• As noted by the team in a news release, Mikhail Denisov and Bouthillier played together with the Shawinigan Cataractes in 2016-17.
• The team hasn't released information on Tommy DaSilva's future. He has struggled this season and has not played in a game since Dec. 7 - although he has dressed as backup since then.
• It's unlikely any of the players acquired from Drummondville in the Shane Bowers trade will report to Saint John. The deal will presumably be finalized and tidied up at the QMJHL Entry Draft in June. "There will be more transactions to come," said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie.
• It doesn't look like Bowers will be reporting to the Voltigeurs, which is too bad.
• What was with Saint John swapping second round picks with the Titan? Saint John wanted another pick in this year's draft. Saint John currently owns three first round picks in 2020.
• Overager Anthony Boucher was not traded. We'll see where he ends up - and unfortunately it may not be in the Q.
• If you haven't heard, 16-year-old Alex Drover will play the remainder of the season with the MHL's Valley Wildcats.
• Former Sea Dogs defenseman Ian Smallwood was traded to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

The Sea Dogs are back in action on Wednesday, hosting the Shawinigan Cataractes at 7 p.m.