For the third time today, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect was traded. This time it was Niagara IceDogs forward Christopher Paquette and a conditional 2018 4th round pick heading to the Peterborough Petes.
Chris was playing well with the IceDogs this season, scoring 12 goals and 17 assists in 37 games played. Paquette will help fill out a forward corps for the Petes that are looking to win the OHL Eastern Conference this season.
From the Petes:
“Chris is a strong two-way player who can contribute in both the offensive and defensive zones, in addition to adding work ethic and leadership to our roster,” commented (GM Michael) Oke. “He is a player that we thought highly of during his OHL draft year.”
Paquette was sent to the Petes for four second-round picks (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021) and a 3rd round pick (2022), as well as goalie Nate McDonald. The IceDogs are currently out of the playoffs, and the team only wanted to give Paquette a chance at a Memorial Cup ring, after the team lost in the OHL Finals to the London Knights last season, IceDogs Director of Player Personnel Joey Burke:
This move was necessary to replenish the draft picks the organization would have been missing in the future, and to provide a surplus in some years. Burke “felt this was a necessary move for our organization to get where we want to be and continue to strive to bring a championship to Niagara in the future”.
Burke praised Paquette for his contributions in Niagara, and the entire IceDogs organization wishes him nothing but success in Peterborough, and throughout his career.
Chris’ first game as Pete should be this Thursday, January 12th as the Petes host the Oshawa Generals.
