Rick Stephens

And then it was about...

Getting him back to LaValle so that his confidence wasn't disturbed.

And then that was obviously the right decision because he looks great now that he's back.

That's right.

Middlestad played at the University of Minnesota his fourth season.

They didn't have the season they hoped for this year.

Middlestad was their captain, known as a leader, known as a solid player.

Solid contributor and solid defenseman, stay-at-home defenseman.

A favorite of Rob Ramage.

We've heard Rob talk about Middlestadt rather glowingly in the past.

And he was an overager when selected in 2023, a seventh round pick by the Canadians.

He's now 23 years old, 5'11", 185 pounds.

And with Laval missing a couple of defensemen, this is going to be big help for Pascal Vinson.

Yeah, Chase Sonnen will go to Trois-Rivières.

And a young guy, 22 years old, and he spent time in the ECHL with Orlando and the Allen Americans.

And so he'll fit right in in Trois-Rivières.

The prize here, and giving up...

Riley Kidney, who was a highly touted prospect, was a goal scorer with Ackley Bathurst, 100 points in his third season, I believe.

but hasn't really made the transition well to pro.

But he'll help Belleville.