Sea Dogs acquire Roode from Titan

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs made one more move before Sunday's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League pre-season trade deadline.

The Sea Dogs acquired 18-year-old defenseman Benjamin Roode from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in exchange for a ninth-round pick in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft. 

Roode is a former first-round pick of the Titan, going 14th overall in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft. The Dartmouth native hasn't quite found his groove in the league, recording two assists in 66 games during his rookie campaign and one goal and two helpers in 63 games last season.

2018 QMJHL Entry Draft first round picks who are now Sea Dogs:

#2: William Villeneuve
#8: Jeremie Poirier
#10: Alex Drover (CAP)
#14: Benjamin Roode (BAT)
#15: Josh Lawrence

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) September 6, 2020

“Ben is a player that we liked going into the 2018 Draft and as a first round pick, was obviously highly regarded,” Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie said in a news release. “He is a big, strong athlete who has played two full seasons in the League and will add depth to our group. Sometimes players just need a fresh start and we look forward to giving that to him here.”

Roode had decent numbers in the Nova Scotia midget league in 2017-18, recording five goals and 12 assists in 36 games with the Dartmouth Major Midgets. He was teammates with Brendan Sibley that season.

According to the team, Roode is expected to join the club immediately.

Saint John's other move on Sunday saw the club acquire 20-year-old goaltender Creed Jones from the Rimouski Oceanic in exchange for draft picks. On Friday, the team traded for defenseman Sam Dow from the Moncton Wildcats.

Saint John's next pre-season game is next Sunday at 3 p.m. at TD Station when they host the Halifax Mooseheads.