January 7, 2013,

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs have announced a deal that sends 18-year-old Benjamin Hade to the expansion club of the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

“This move was made to give Benjamin an opportunity to play,” says Sea Dogs head coach and General Manager Mike Kelly. “With Ben we had nine defensemen and he would have had to take his turn sitting out games. Ben deserves a chance to play regularly, and when the opportunity came to move him to a team where he would get that chance we decided it was probably good for him. We wish Ben good luck and thank him for everything he has done for his team.”

In exchange, the Sea Dogs receive Sherbrooke’s 4^th-round pick in the 2014 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound d-man calls Quebec, QC home. Hade was selected in the 4^th-round, 55^th overall, in the 2010 QMJHL entry draft.

In 17 regular season games with the Sea Dogs over the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, Hade has chipped in an assist and 14 penalty minutes.

It’s only a short time until Hade faces his former team as the Sea Dogs head to Sherbrooke Sunday afternoon. Fans can tune into Tim Roszell on News 88.9 FM or catch the TELUS QMJHL Webcast.

Hade will be back on Jan. 26 as the Phoenix visit Harbour Station for the first time. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, online at tickets.harbourstation.ca or by calling 657-1234.