Islanders, Titan swing major deals

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The Charlottetown Islanders and Acadie-Bathurst Titan continued to load up on the opening day of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's holiday trading period.

The Islanders pulled off a major deal Sunday, acquiring 19-year-old goaltender Francesco Lapenna from the Drummondville Voltigeurs along with a 2022 seventh-round pick and a 2023 third-round pick (Shawinigan) in exchange for 18-year-old netminder Jacob Goobie; 17-year-old forward and Quispamsis native Sam Oliver; and third- and forth-round picks in 2024.

Lapenna, viewed by many as one of the top goaltenders in the league, is 9-12 with a rebuilding Voltigeurs team this season with a 2.99 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. The acquisition gives the Islanders more experience in net.

“We are very excited to add Francesco to our team. He is an elite veteran goalie with a proven track record," Islanders general manager Jim Hulton said in a news release. “We would also like to thank Sam and Jake for their contributions to the Islanders. We wish them much success in the future.”

The Titan, meanwhile, acquired 20-year-old forward Felix Lafrance and 19-year-old forward Thomas Belgarde from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in exchange for prospect Cael MacDonald, a second-round pick in 2022 (Drummondville) and a first-round pick in 2024.

Lafrance enters the holiday break as the QMJHL's leading scorer with 50 points in 26 games. He sits second in the league in goals with 23.

The Titan, who already feature the likes of Hendrix Lapierre, Riley Kidney and Bennett MacArthur, are averaging 3.95 goals per game, good for third best in the QMJHL.

Sunday's transaction puts five of the league's top six scorers in the Maritimes Division.

The Sea Dogs and Titan meet Dec. 30 in Bathurst and Dec. 31 in Saint John.

A full list of trades can be found on the QMJHL website.

The holiday trading period ends on Jan. 6.