Sea Dogs acquire Peddle from Voltigeurs

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The Saint John Sea Dogs made a major move on Thursday, acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Tyler Peddle for the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

In exchange for Peddle, the Sea Dogs dealt forward Noah Reinhart, defensive prospect Anthony Biakabutuka and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Peddle is an intriguing pickup for the Sea Dogs. The second overall pick in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft, the 18-year-old has never quite been able to reach the level that was projected of him when he entered the league. He has still put up decent numbers though, recording 47 goals and 43 assists in 166 QMJHL games over three seasons with the Volts.

In 37 games this season, the Antigonish native has six goals and eight assists, putting him on pace for fewer points this season than last. He leaves a Drummondville team that is in the hunt for a league title — but joins a team where he'll get plenty of playing time in all situations.

Peddle and the Sea Dogs are no doubt hoping a change of scenery will unlock some of his potential. The Blue Jackets, who selected him with the final pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, would no doubt like that as well.

To acquire Peddle, the Sea Dogs traded away one of their top offensive players in Reinhart. The 19-year-old has 13 goals and 18 assists in 36 games this season.

The Ontario native leaves the Sea Dogs with 30 goals and 44 assists in 101 games over two seasons.

Also going to the Volts is Biakabutuka, who was a 10th-round pick of Saint John in the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft. The 17-year-old is from Quebec but has spent the past two seasons playing prep school hockey in the United States. It seemed unlikely that he would be reporting to Saint John.

Notably, the Sea Dogs and Voltigeurs made another trade just this past Tuesday, which saw Saint John acquire overage forward Drew Elliott for a draft pick.

The QMJHL's trade deadline is on Saturday, Jan. 6.