The Halifax Mooseheads are hoping Bradley MacDonald brings them offensive punch for years to come.
The Mooseheads acquired the 17-year-old Dartmouth native from the P.E.I. Rocket for 18-year-old centre Guillaume Pelletier just before Thursday’s QMJHL trade deadline.
MacDonald was once pegged as a future second-line centre but has yet to realize that potential since being drafted in the second round (30th overall) by Gatineau in 2008. He has six goals and eight assists in 55 career QMJHL games.
“Bradley has lots of upside,” Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell said. “He has speed, work ethic and skill. He’s excited to be here, and we hope it works out.”
Pelletier, who came to Halifax as part of last December’s Logan MacMillan trade, had just one assist and a minus-18 in 29 games and was a frequent healthy scratch.
MacDonald had already been dealt once during the holiday trade period, going from Victoriaville to P.E.I. for Brandon Street.
But the five-foot-10 184-pounder didn’t want to play for the Rocket, so the Mooseheads — who are building around the 17-year-old age group — stepped in and took advantage.
“He’s not just a role player, he’s capable of putting numbers up,” Russell said. “But that’s up to him.”
