Sea Dogs have had success in second rounds

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

While the Saint John Sea Dogs may not be picking in the first round (at this moment, anyways) of this year's QMJHL Entry Draft, there is still plenty of room for optimism.

The Sea Dogs are currently scheduled to pick twice in the second round — 30th and 33rd overall, respectively — where they've landed plenty of standout players in past drafts. Notably, Saint John picked three times in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft and landed goaltender Olivier Brideau along with forwards Cole Burbidge and Vince Elie, all of whom appear to be key pieces for the Sea Dogs moving forward.

When looking back over the years, some important players were taken with second round selections. The first few years featured the likes of Ryan Sparling, Michael Kirkpatrick and Kevin Gagne while 2013 had Thomas Chabot. Brady Burns, Charlie DesRoches and Peter Reynolds were all second round picks along with Charles Savoie, who lifted the Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts on Sunday.

It's hard to miss the success Saint John has had in second rounds over the past five drafts. Some of that certainly has to do with the Sea Dogs' ability to pry players away from college hockey intentions, something the franchise struggled to do in previous eras.

Here's a rundown of all the players the Sea Dogs have taken with second round picks over the years.

2022: No pick

2021: 36th overall - Vince Elie

2021: 29th overall - Cole Burbidge

2021: 27th overall - Olivier Brideau

2020: 38th overall - Simon Hughes

2019: 34th overall - Charles Savoie

2019: 21st overall - Peter Reynolds

2018: 32nd overall - Charlie DesRoches

2018: 29th overall - Brady Burns

2017: No pick

2016: 32nd overall - Shane Bowers

2015: No pick

2014: 22nd overall - Matthew Green

2013: 22nd overall - Thomas Chabot

2012: No pick

2011: 19th overall - Oliver Cooper

2010: No pick

2009: 28th overall - Aidan Kelly

2008: 32nd overall - Kevin Gagne

2007: 22nd overall - Michael Kirkpatrick

2006: 20th overall - Pascal Amyot

2005: 20th overall - Ryan Sparling

Saint John didn't make their first pick in last year's draft until the third round where they selected defenseman Jeremie Richard 37th overall.

The 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft takes place Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Atlantic in Sherbrooke.