Labbé traded to Phoenix

Jeremy Fraser

SAINT JOHN - It didn't take long for the Saint John Sea Dogs to find Kyan Labbé a home.

It was reported this past week that Labbé, a fourth-round pick of Saint John in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft who has been playing in the BCHL, had requested a trade. On Friday the team announced that the goaltender has been traded to his hometown Sherbrooke Phoenix in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026.

“With two very solid goaltenders in Charles-Edward Gravel and Justin Robinson currently on our roster, Kyan and his family requested to be moved to another organization in an attempt to play in the league immediately,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a news release. “With our team lacking early round picks for the next two drafts we felt it was necessary to add this pick.”

Labbé's father, Jean-Francois Labbé, played part of the 1992-93 QMJHL season with the Sherbrooke Faucons.

Labbé is committed to the NCAA's Union College for the 2026-27 season. The 17-year-old has been playing with the BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers this season where he's posted a 2-1 record to go along with a 4.33 goals against average and a .889 save percentage.

Last season, Labbé helped the Magog Cantonniers win the Telus Cup. He was named the tournament's best goaltender after being named the Quebec under-18 league's playoff MVP and top defensive player.

Labbé is the latest in a growing list of players who have left the BCHL for the CHL following the NCAA rule change.

The Sea Dogs and Phoenix have already met twice this season. The only chance of the two meeting again is in the playoffs, which is unlikely.