Two Sea Dogs invited to Swiss WJC camp

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Vincent Despont is looking forward to his second season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"Next season, I will be one of the leaders of the team and I will have more playing time," he told to La Liberté, via Swiss Hockey News.

Despont appeared in 41 games with Saint John this past season, recording five assists. He played in just one playoff game. The 19-year-old was used sparingly throughout the year, especially after the holiday trade deadline, but should see a much larger role this coming season with most of Saint John's defense core moving on.

The 19-year-old defenseman could have a busy summer. Despont was one of 37 players invited to Switzerland's world junior summer camp. The final roster will feature 25 players. 

According to Swiss Hockey News, the team will travel to Finland on July 22 for a pair of exhibition games. They'll fly to Edmonton on Aug. 1 to prepare for this summer's World Junior Hockey Championship, which takes place Aug. 9-20.

Sea Dogs goaltender Noah Patenaude was also invited to the camp. Patenaude, who appeared in one game for Switzerland at the 2021 tournament, was one of five goaltenders to earn an invite.

Both Despont and Patenaude were left off the Switzerland roster that competed in the cancelled event at New Year's. Despont was injured at the camp while Patenaude suffered what proved to be a season ending injury before attending.