The Truro Bearcats have reacquired defenseman Zach Welsh from the West Kent Steamers in exchange for defenseman JP Boudreau, a 2024 2nd round pick and a 2025 4th round pick.
Welsh, a 2003 born defenseman from Halifax was originally a 2nd round pick of the Cape Breton Eagles in the 2019 QMJHL draft and a 10th round pick of the Bearcats in the 2019 MHL draft. Welsh played 1 year of U18 hockey with the Halifax MacDonalds before stepping into the Bearcats lineup as a 16 year old in the 2019-2020 season where had tallied 4 assists in 44 games played. Zach would make the jump to the Eagles the next season and spend parts of the next 2 seasons in the Q split between Cape Breton and Sherbrooke. His MHL rights were eventually traded to Edmundston and he would come back to the league for parts of the 21-22 and 22-23 season with stints in Edmundston and South Shore. He had his best offensive output last season with the Lumberjacks where he led all South Shore defensemen with 18 points in only 19 games.
This trade can work out well for both players involved as Welsh can play his final junior year closer to home and Boudreau can also play in his home province as well.
Welcome back to Truro, Zach!