No one expected Connor Trenholm to be traded, not even Connor Trenholm. However, anything is possible on trade deadline day?
“It all happened so fast,” said the former Cape Breton Eagle forward.
“I just woke up and within the next half hour I was traded.”
Trenholm might not be the highest profile name to be moved today, especially in the borage of deals conducted by Trevor Georgie, but his acquisition is a stealthy trade one in which will definitely pay dividends.
KIt’s evident that the Cape Breton Eagles brain trust knew they couldn’t build a championship caliber team quick enough within Trenholm’s time with the organization. Trenholm brings incredible value to a Sea Dogs lineup hungry for character, energy and a two-way presence. The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia product has tremendous offensive upside and can play up and down any line up.
The Eagles put a letter on his jersey the last two seasons which speaks volumes to his leadership qualities on and off the ice. Trenholm is a Shawn Element type of player that is relentless on the puck in all three zones.
The shock of being traded and leaving an organization that drafted and believed in you is still difficult to comprehend.
“I had an unbelievable experience with the Eagles organization for two and a half years.”
“They drafted me at 15 years old and gave me an opportunity to play and always treated me professionally in the best way possible,” Trenholm said proudly.
“The Eagles organization put a lot of trust in me giving me a letter as a 17 and 18 year old.”
“The Eagles organization will always have a special place in my heart. I’m just so thankful that they gave me an opportunity to start and live out my dream.”
The dream to play in a Memorial Cup will now be shared between brothers. Trenholm’s brother Nathan Welton who was also traded during the Christmas Trade Period as an 18 year old for the 2006 Memorial Cup hosts the Moncton Wildcats.
“I’m very excited.”
“I’ve always wanted to play in a Memorial Cup and to be given that opportunity right now is incredible.”
“I’m more than excited and can’t wait to do whatever I need to do to help the team win,” Trenholm said.
“To win a Memorial Cup is the ultimate goal.”
“Nathan and I spoke earlier today, and he just told me that it’s one of the best tournaments to play in and that the Memorial Cup is what everyone works for.”
“I can’t wait to play.”
Connor Trenholm is a team first person and player. The three year veteran has experienced a lot of ups and downs on his path to the QMJHL. Every shift, every practise means everything to Trenholm.
There’s no question, he will carve out a niche with the ultra talented Sea Dogs.
“The Sea Dogs definitely have a very talented team, which I’ve seen develop over the last few years.”
“Saint John have always been a team that have been fast and that generates a lot of offence.”
“I want to come into the line up and basically play whatever role I’m given,” Trenholm said.
“I want to be that team first guy, I want to be the hardest worker out there, finish checks and generate as many scoring opportunities as I can, while being sound defensively.”
“If can bring that hard tough, fast pace game that I know I can play, that will give me the best opportunity to play as much as I can.”
“If I can bring all of that and a solid 200ft game I think I can really help the team go far.”
The memories over the last two and a half years will never fade for Trenholm, but a new chapter awaits in the Port City.
“Well I don’t know where to even start,” said Trenholm when asked what he’s going to miss the most about Cape Breton.
“Both my billet families were amazing.”
“I can’t thank both families enough for taking me in and treating me like their own.”
“I’m going to miss the interactions between staff, coaches and teammates. I had a great relationship with them all. I tried to talk with everybody every single day.”
“I’m going to miss those little interactions and I’m going to miss seeing everyone that I’ve developed relationships with over the years.”
“It’s going to be different, and I’m really going to miss those relationships, but especially the ones I’ve made in the community,” said a reflective Trenholm.
“Cape Breton will always have a special place in my heart,” Trenholm said.
Ironically one of the main reasons the Saint John Sea Dogs acquired Trenholm today is just that his; heart and soul.
It may not have been as high profiled as the other trades made today, but the addition of Connor Trenholm will leave a lasting impression on the championship caliber Sea Dogs.
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