The Bage Valley Wildcats have announced they have acquired forwards Liam Dutcher & Tristan LeBlanc, defenceman Ben Robertson, and a 2025 1st Round Draft Pick in exchange for defenceman Jake Beardsmore, forward Lucas Byrne, and a 2025 6th Round Draft Pick.
Dutcher, who has spent both this season and last with the Amherst Ramblers before being recently acquired by the Steamers, comes with 73 games of MHL experience under his belt. The skilled 19-year-old forward from Stephenville, Newfoundland joins the Wildcats having proven himself as an experienced scoring forward. In those 73 games with the Ramblers, Dutcher found the back of the net 20 times, adding 28 assists totaling 48 points along with 82 penalty minutes. Dutcher also suited up in 10 playoff games last season with the Ramblers, tallying 3 assists and 33 penalty minutes.
18-year-old forward Tristan LeBlanc, a native of Bedford, Nova Scotia, joins the Wildcats in this his rookie MHL season. Prior to suiting up in 11 games this season with the Steamers, LeBlanc played his U18 hockey with the Dartmouth Steel Subaru. In three seasons with the Subaru, LeBlanc racked up a total of 106 games played, tallying 20 goals to go along with 36 assists (56 points) as well as 22 penalty minutes. LeBlanc, who was an Alternate Captain with the Subaru, reunites with Wildcats forward Brady Burke, who also spent last season in Dartmouth.
Robertson, an 18-year-old defenceman from Halifax, Nova Scotia, comes to the Valley after splitting this season with the Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) & the Steamers. Having played 23 games thus-far in this his rookie Jr. A season, the young defenceman has logged 1 assist to go along with 8 penalty minutes. Prior to making the jump to junior, Robertson spent his first two seasons of U18 hockey career (2021-23) with the Cole Harbour Wolfpack where he tallied 7 goals, 21 assists (28 points) in 53 games played. Robertson spent last season across the boarder, playing for the South Kent School’s U18 Prep team, where in 73 games played, recorded 11 goals and 19 assists (30 points). Robertson also reunites with Wildcats forward Brady Burke, whom which he played with during his 2022-23 season with the Wolfpack.
Dutcher, LeBlanc, & Robertson will all make their Wildcats debuts on home ice TOMORROW night as the Wildcats host the visiting Amherst Ramblers at the Apple Dome for a 7pm puck drop.
Welcome to the Valley, Liam, Tristan, & Ben!
The Wildcats would like to express thanks to both Lucas Byrne and Jake Beardsmore for their time in the Valley and their commitment to the Annapolis Valley community, and wish them luck in their future hockey endeavors.