CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Lewiston Maineiacs made a minor move during Friday morning’s pre-draft trade period, but it was far from the blockbuster some people were expecting the team to make before this morning’s draft.

Lewiston traded Karl Prefontaine, a ninth-round selection a year ago, to the Victoriaville Tigres.

In return, the Tigres sent Lewiston a 10th-round pick in this afternoon’s draft.

“We wanted to give him a chance to play,” said Jodoin. “It was only fair to him to give him that chance, because he really did not fit in our plans, and he is already 18.”

Prefontaine’s father is actually on the Maineiacs’ payroll, as a scout for the team, and Jodoin had spoken with him before pulling the trigger.

Meanwhile, Jodoin and the rest of the staff’s attention is now turned to the draft, and Jodoin did not rule out another deal or two before all was said and done.

“There is stuff out there,” said Jodoin. “We can only try and do the best we can do, but there is always a chance something will happen.”

Jodoin said the team’s needs are not pressing, but they are present.

“We have a good team already,” said Jodoin. “We’d like to add a few pieces to the puzzle.”

The way the Maineiacs may do that is through a series of trades. One of those potential deal would give the Maineiacs a second first round pick, Quebec’s 18th overall selection. In return, Lewiston would send the Remparts one of its two second round choices and its third round selection.

“Maybe soon we will have something to announce on that,” said Jodoin. “But not yet, not right now We are working on something else right now.”

A rumor had Jodoin then flipping those two first-rounders and a player or two to Acadie-Bathurst for the Titan’s first-round pick (No. 6 overall) and a 20-year-old.

“The trade period is not over,” Jodoin said. “We’ve been working with a team for two days now, and the offers have changed six times. I am hoping something can happen.”

Jodoin confirmed the team with which he has been in discussions with is Bathurst.

Lewiston’s principal owner, Mark Just, also weighed in Friday, and was heavily involved with the team’s actions all week. Just echoed Jodoin’s thoughts, too, about having what he called a “very good team.”

“We don’t have to do wholesale changes because of the roster we have,” said Just, “but we’re hoping to do a few moves that hopefully will put us over the top if possible. If not, we have seven draft picks in the first five rounds, we have three more in the sixth and seventh, and we also have an opportunity in the European draft if we want to go that way, depending on what does or doesn’t take place here. It doesn’t have to happen here. If we don’t make a move here, it doesn’t mean we won’t make a move.”

The Maineiacs — for now — will select 11th overall in today’s first round of the QMJHL draft, a draft that has changed complexion thanks to a series of moves by Rimouski. The Oceanic have now accumulated four top 10 picks in today’s draft: Their own at No. 2, Val d’Or’s at No. 5, Drummondville’s at No. 8 and Halifax’s at No. 10.

“They have changed everything,” said Jodoin. “It’s hard to see how they will win more than 10 games this year now, but this is their way.”

With four picks, the Oceanic are still making a bid for the No. 1 overall pick, likely to be used to select defenseman Yann Sauve. But the Saint John Sea Dogs, who own that top pick, appear to be unwilling to make a deal with Rimouski.

The draft starts this morning at 9 at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

jpelletier@sunjournal.com


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