The Saint John Sea Dogs have traded overage forward Marshall Lessard to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

In exchange, the defending Memorial Cup champions will get a second-round draft selection in 2023.

The trade between the two Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams was announced on Tuesday.

Lessard was one of four 20-year-old players vying for three overage lineup spots with the Sea Dogs this season.

“It’s not ideal having four 20-year-old players on your roster when you can only dress three, and we made it a priority to ensure that all of our overage players have full-time homes this season,” Trevor Georgie, president and general manager of the Sea Dogs, said in a statement.

“Marsh is a resilient young man and he will bring a lot of character and experience to Baie Comeau.”

Lessard was part of the Sea Dogs leadership group this season but only dressed in two games due to injury. He recorded one goal and one assist.

Since being acquired by the Sea Dogs at the 2021-22 trade deadline, Lessard registered 10 points in 19 regular season games. He has totalled 85 points in 138 QMJHL contests.

“Playing for the Sea Dogs was a real honour. Nothing but good memories and good friends were made in Saint John,” Lessard said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Georgie said second-round picks are valuable for the Sea Dogs and he is confident the team’s scouts will make the most of the selection.

Recent second-round selections by the Sea Dogs include current captain Charlie DesRoches and veterans Brady Burns and Peter Reynolds.

The Sea Dogs have completed a trade with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, acquiring a 2023 2nd Round Selection in exchange for overage forward Marshall Lessard.

Thank you Marsh, and good luck in Baie-Comeau!

📰: https://t.co/CehpuE4X6r#CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/NMsVI4Xutw

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) October 25, 2022