Forward Mathieu Cataford was traded from the Halifax Mooseheads to the Rimouski Océanic on Friday evening during the Maritimes Quebec Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft.
Rumors have been circulating for several days regarding this transaction. Our colleague Stéphane Leroux reported Friday morning that the transaction would be confirmed later in the evening.
In return, the Mooseheads notably got their hands on pick No. 11 in the draft, with which they selected Daniel Walters. Halifax also got their hands on a 2nd round pick in 2024, a 3rd round pick in 2024, a 1st round pick in 2026 and a 2nd round pick in 2026 as well.
This transaction was carried out since Rimouski will be the host city of the next Memorial Cup. The team from the Bas-Saint-Laurent region also acquired the services of defender Pier-Olivier Roy.
Cataford finished third in the QMJHL in scoring with 40 goals and 90 points in 65 games. He won the QMJHL Most Valuable Player title last season.
The 19-year-old center was selected in the third round (77e) in the 2023 draft by the Vegas Golden Knights. Cataford appeared in four games with the Henderson Silver Knights of the American League. He collected two assists.
A veteran of four seasons in the QMJHL, Roy is changing addresses for the first time since he was the seventh selection of the Victoriaville Tigres in the 2020 draft.
Last season, he had 50 points in 66 games.
