Kevin Marshall appeared to be the captain-in-waiting of the Lewiston Maineiacs. A gritty, hard-nosed defenseman, he played a pivotal role on the team’s run to the Memorial Cup in 2007 at just 17 years old.

Now, he may be on his way out as a 19-year-old.

The French-language newspaper Le Soleil, of Quebec City, reported Thursday that Marshall will be skating next season for the Quebec Remparts, coached by NHL Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy.

The news came as a surprise to Marshall.

“My family all lives in Quebec, and it was posted in the journal in Quebec,” Marshall said. “They called here this morning, and I was like, ‘Oh, really?’ I went on the Internet and I read it. They don’t say anything about what I would be traded for, so I don’t know if it’s true or just a rumor, or if it’s going to happen. I don’t know; I just don’t know.”

The story did not list a source for its information, which also included references to a trade between Quebec and the Montreal Junior (formerly the St. John’s Fog Devils) involving first-round NHL pick Angelo Esposito.

Patrick Roy did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday.

“I’ve been with the Maineiacs for three years now, and I got treated so well in Lewiston, I’m kind of surprised,” Marshall said.

Lewiston head coach and GM Ed Harding didn’t sound surprised to hear the report, but said that there is no official truth to it.

“There’s a lot of things that we’re talking about, and a lot of things we’ve had some organizational meetings about, and we’re taking a look at what direction we’re planning on going this year,” Harding said. “At this point, there’s a lot of conversations going on, but there’s no done deal with anyone.”

Marshall also said that if the rumor is, indeed, false, he has no problem returning to Lewiston for a fourth season.

“It wouldn’t hurt me to come back at all,” Marshall said. “But maybe it’s a business thing. I know last year we had four 89-born defensemen, so maybe they want to trade me to get some young kids, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. Now I’m really anxious about the June draft because I’m anxious to see what’s going on with me.”

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s annual entry draft is Saturday, June 7, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, home of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. The floor is open for trades on Friday, June 6.