Marquardt heading to Baie-Comeau

Matt Marquardt, seen here playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament in September, has been traded. Photo by Chris Dawson.

North Bay's Matt Marquardt will be doing more than just traveling to North Bay for Christmas. The overage forward with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL was dealt to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar as part of a blockbuster deal prior to the Christmas break.

The 20-year-old was dealt to the Drakkar along with defenceman Myles Gomes in exchange for blueliner David Savard, 2nd and 5th round 2008 draft picks and a 1st round pick in 2009.

Marquardt - a 7th round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft - was part of a Wildcats team that won the Quebec League championship two seasons ago but lost in the Memorial Cup final to the Quebec Remparts.

Last season Marquardt was an offensive force as he banged home 41 goals for the Wildcats. The NHL prospects website www.hockeysfuture.com has Marquardt rated 11th on the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects list.

The move likely wasn't a surprise to Marquardt as the struggling Moncton Wildcats currently sport the 16th best record in the 18-team Quebec Major Junior League, while the Drakkar sits in fourth spot but only four points out of first place overall.

Marquardt is the second North Bay area player to be dealt before Christmas.

Last week former Trapper Joel Senecal was traded to Val'Dor from Drummondville in his rookie season in the "Q."