Sea Dogs acquire overage forward

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a surprising deal on Tuesday, acquiring overage forward Liam Leonard from the Moncton Wildcats.

In exchange for Leonard, the Sea Dogs dealt 18-year-old forward Connor Richard to the Wildcats.

The move raises some questions about Saint John's overage situation. The team currently has six 20-year-olds listed on its pre-season roster: forwards Leonard, Ben Badalamenti, Anderson MacDonald and Matt Gould; defenseman Jordan Spadaore; and goaltender Carmine-Anthony Pagliarulo.

Gould, MacDonald and Pagliarulo were presumed to be the leading candidates for Saint John's three overage slots, but the acquisition of Leonard certainly creates some questions. Of course these are unusual times, so it's difficult to even guess what situations may have come up (Gould is an American, for example, which could create some complications given the border situation).

Leonard split last season with the Wildcats and Acadie-Bathurst Titan, recording four goals and seven assists in 46 games. He had 27 points in 65 games the season prior (which included six goals and eight points against Saint John). Leonard would presumably be used more as a role player on the bottom two lins, which is something the Sea Dogs could use.

Richard, a Quispamsis native who was taken by Saint John in the 10th round of the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft, appeared in three games with the Sea Dogs in 2018-19, recording no points. He spent last season with the MHL's Campbellton Tigers.

“Connor had a really good season in the MHL last year," said Wildcats director of hockey operations, Ritchie Thibeau, in a news release. “He’s a very good skater who is also very competitive and will bring skill. We are looking forward for him to battle for a roster spot at training camp.”

The Sea Dogs have not made any statements regarding the trade.