Sea Dogs trade D'Orio to the Drakkar

SAINT JOHN - The Alex D'Orio era is over in Saint John.

While the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League still hadn't made the deal official at the time of this writing, all indications are that D'Orio will be/has been traded to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick.

Un choix de premier tour 2020 ira aux Sea Dogs dans la transaction qui envoie D’Orio à Baie-Comeau. #tvasports

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) January 5, 2019

D'Orio spoke with Sea Dogs broadcaster John Moore about the deal that will see him join one of the league's top contenders.

Alex D’Orio excited to join #Drakkar just before trade deadline.@SJSeaDogs pic.twitter.com/yiBfIr30dm

— John Moore (@rinkrant) January 6, 2019

While D'Orio has had a rough season, he's no doubt still considered one of the best goaltenders in the league - and has been considered one of the top goalies available on the trade market for some time.

It certainly looked like D'Orio might remain a Sea Dog. After sitting out some games leading up to the trading period, D'Orio suddenly started playing again, indicating a trade was not imminent. Sea Dogs general manager Trevor George spoke on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles radio broadcast on Friday night, saying a trade was not yet in the works.

Trevor Georgie says probability of Alex D'Orio moving "is low" but notes is still 48 hours left to make a deal.   Also states move to send Alex Drover to Jr. A was necessary since they SJSD was already over the limit for 16 year olds, notes both Drover & Stairs are Q ready now

— Patrick McNeil (@CBSE_pbp) January 4, 2019

So obviously things change - and an injury to Drakkar goaltender Derek Baribeau may have played a factor as well. Baribeau did not dress for the Drakkar's game on Saturday.

La blessure de Baribeau (#Drakkar) pourrait avoir une incidence sur les mouvements, surtout de gardiens, dans la #LHJMQ.

— Max Larouche | MXL Hockey (@max_hockey24) January 5, 2019

A 2020 first rounder is a good return for Saint John. Plus, Mikhail Denisov has been solid in net since joining the Sea Dogs and has certainly looked more than capable of being a No. 1 for the rest of the season. Tommy DaSilva will presumably be backup.

D'Orio, a first-round pick of Saint John in 2015, has spent his entire QMJHL career with the Dogs. He helped the team win the President Cup in 2017 as backup. In 98 games, the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect posted a 33-59 record to go along with a 3.71 goals against average and a .893 save percentage.

The QMJHL's trading period closes on Sunday.