Sea Dogs sign overage goaltender

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The Saint John Sea Dogs made a bit of an unexpected move on Monday, signing free agent goaltender Cody Porter.

The overage netminder - he'll turn 20 on Saturday - comes to Saint John after spending his entire junior career in the Western Hockey League. According to a team press release, he's expected to be available for Thursday's season opener at Harbour Station.

Porter has appeared in 117 career WHL games with the Vancouver Giants and Calgary Hitmen, recording a 52-42-5-4 record to go along with a 3.30 goals-against average and a .887 save percentage.

Last season, Porter appeared in 34 games with the Hitmen, posting a 14-16-2-1 record with a 3.46 GAA and a .888 SV%.

Goaltender Alex D'Orio was reassigned to the Sea Dogs by the Pittsburgh Penguins this week. D'Orio's backup would, presumably, have been Matthew Williams. Now, it appears the team's duo will be D'Orio and Porter, but we'll see what happens.

Update: Williams was injured during the preseason, according to a source.

If the plan is to have Porter backup or platoon with D'Orio, it will no doubt take a bit of pressure off D'Orio, who will enter his first season as a No. 1 goaltender.

Porter joins defenceman Bailey Webster and forward Cole Reginato as overage players on this year's team.

Saint John begins regular season play on Thursday night at 7 p.m. against the Halifax Mooseheads.