Trades - they are a part of the game

This season’s trading period began in earnest for the Condors with a five-for-three deal.

The Condors gave up Philippe Lauzon, 20, a veteran defenseman along with forwards Marc-Olivier Samson, 18, and Christopher Tonin, 19, who will now suit up for the Vaudrueil-Dorion Mustangs, as will two year Condor goaltender Jean-Philippe Boucher, 19, and 18-year old third string goaltender Félix Raizenne.

"Sometimes players become part of a deal, even when you may not want it," said Condor general manager and head coach Patrice Bosch. "This trade was a tough one," he said before last Sunday's 5-3 win over the Lachine Maroons.

The Condors in the deal get three players, starting with 20-year-old forward Mathieu Populus. Populus has recorded 19 goals and 18 assists in 34 games. 

"He is fast and can score," said Bosch. 

Also in the deal is 19-year-old Alexandre Lavoie, coming from CEGEP Chicoutimi and 19-year old goaltender Anthony Mager-Dugas. Mager-Dugas has played in 22 games with a record of four wins and 13 losses, and was yanked for the net in four games.  All three players are coming from a Mustangs team that has been sitting in 13th place all season, recording seven wins and 25 losses.

"We are going with Maxime Belanger as our number one," said Bosch. "Mager-Dugas has experience and will back up."

The Condors have also picked up for future draft picks from les Loups de La Tuque 19-year-old forward Philippe Cliche, who contributed with one goal and one assist against the Maroons and from the Montreal-Est Rangers 19-year-old defenseman Rapheal Riendeau. Marc Olivier-Bouchard was also picked up and opened the game against the Maroons with his first of the season.

Overall, the Condors have picked up six players; five skaters mostly on offense. 

The Condors face Lachine before the Christmas Break. On January 6 the Mustangs, loaded with new players (the Mustangs are the most active team in trades this year, mostly with St. Jerome). Some tough games ahead for the Condors in the new year, including Longueuil, Princeville, Sherbrooke, Granby and a home-in-home series against Valleyfield.