Halifax Mooseheads acquire top draft pick MacKinnon from Baie-Comeau

Published November 20, 2014

HALIFAX - The Halifax Mooseheads finally got their man Wednesday, acquiring the rights to centre Nathan MacKinnon — the first overall pick in the 2011 QMJHL entry draft by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

In exchange, the Mooseheads sent Carl Gelinas, Francis Turbide and three first-round picks to Baie-Comeau.

The Mooseheads and Rimouski Oceanic were reportedly among the clubs that made offers to Baie-Comeau for the first overall pick prior to the draft.

MacKinnon's hockey path has closely followed that of fellow Cole Harbour, N.S., native Sidney Crosby. MacKinnon, 16, grew up playing in the same minor hockey system and then jumped to Shattuck St. Mary's prep school in Faribeault, Minn.

MacKinnon, who has Sidney Crosby's agent Pat Brisson as his adviser, had 45 goals and 93 points in 40 games this season.

Halifax had picks to spare after sending Adam Erne to Quebec on Monday. The Mooseheads acquired two first-round picks and a second-rounder from the Remparts for Erne, taken 22nd overall in the 2011 QMJHL draft.

MacKinnon, a five-foot-11 175-pounder, played for Nova Scotia at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax in February.

The trade was announced ahead of the league's trade window.

"Due to exceptional circumstances, the League has given the organizations the right to unveil the details of the trade prior to the opening of the trade period on Aug. 1," QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau said in a release.

The league did not specify the reasons.

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