Cournoyer signs in BCHL as Saint John's overage situation gets interesting

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Alexis Cournoyer is heading west.

The BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings announced Monday the signing of the Saint John Sea Dogs forward. Cournoyer will be an overager with the Spruce Kings.

“We expect Alexis to fill some of the void left behind from our graduating players, especially at the centre position,” said Prince George head coach Alex Evin in a press release. “We were impressed with his personality and character and his desire to win. Alexis will be a great fit within our organization both on and off the ice.”

Cournoyer is coming off a strong season with the Sea Dogs where he recorded 13 goals and 28 points in 67 games — his first full year in the QMJHL. He spent the 2021-22 season with the Maritime Hockey League's Grand Falls Rapids.

It's not uncommon to see overage players from the QMJHL head to the BCHL — but it's a bit more noteworthy this year given some of the new restrictions on BCHL players following the league's decision to leave Hockey Canada.

The departure of Cournoyer would seem to make Saint John's overage situation a bit less complicated — but that doesn't appear to be the case. Kevin Barrett of Postmedia (paywall) reports that the team has let go 20-year-old goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov and added overage forwards Alexis Brisson and Mathis Cloutier.

The overage situation with @SJSeaDogs takes an interesting turn on the eve of the August trading period. @QMJHL https://t.co/OdVcVugKux

— Kevin Barrett (@KevinBarrettNB) July 31, 2023

Brisson posted 11 goals and 22 assists in 51 games with a bad Blainville-Boisbriand Armada team last year while Cloutier had 11 goals and 21 assists in 56 games split between the Shawinigan Cataractes and Val-d'Or Foreurs.

More former Sea Dogs on the move (and staying put)

Huntsville Havoc

We're in the thick of the off-season but there's been plenty of activity recently involving former Saint John Sea Dogs. Here's a quick rundown.

• Forward Samuel Dove-McFalls has signed with Lausitzer Füchse of Germany's tier-two league for the 2023-24 season. The 26-year-old spent last season in the AHL and ECHL. Dove-McFalls played with an under-16 team in Berlin back in 2011-12.
• Forward Cole Reginato is returning to the Southern Professional Hockey League's Huntsville Havoc. The 25-year-old has spent the past three seasons in Huntsville, posting a total of 189 penalty minutes in 58 games. "We are thrilled to have Reggie back for another season," said Havoc head coach Stuart Stefan in a news release. "The energy and physicality he brings make him a key player for us. We look forward to his continued growth and impact on the ice.” 
• Defenseman Zach Welsh, who played in eight games with Saint John last season, had his Maritime Hockey League rights traded from the West Kent Steamers to the Truro Bearcats. Welsh played in 44 games with Truro in 2019-20.
• Forward Nicolas Guay is returning for a second season with the ECHL's Trois-Rivieres Lions. The 24-year-old appeared in all 72 games with the Lions last season, his first full year as a pro.
• Forward Ostap Safin has reportedly renounced his Czech citizenship and applied for a Russian passport to make it easier for him to find a roster spot in the KHL, where he's joining Lada Togliatti. The 24-year-old spent last season in the Czech league after playing three years of pro hockey in North America.
• Forward Jacob Chantler has signed with the Alvinston Killer Bees of the Western Ontario Super Hockey League. The league aims to "capitalize on an 'under serviced' market for players graduating the junior ranks," according to The Beacon Herald. The 20-year-old spent last season with the GOJHL's St. Mary's Lincolns.
• Back in April, forward Julien Tessier signed with French club Amiens. Tessier spent the past four seasons with UQTR, helping the Patriotes win the University Cup in 2022.
• Troy Dumville, a former assistant general manager of the Sea Dogs, resigned as president of the Maritime Hockey League last week. Dumville has accepted a full-time scouting position with the Winnipeg Jets.

Midgley back in QMJHL with Mooseheads

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Jim Midgley is back in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Midgley was named the new head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads on Monday, replacing Sylvain Favreau who resigned a few weeks ago.

This is Midgley's second stint with the Mooseheads. He was an assistant with the club from 2011 to 2017 and was head coach during the 2017-18 campaign. Despite posting a 43-18-6-1 regular season record in 2017-18 and a trip to the second round of the playoffs, Midgley was let go by the Moose soon after their season ended.

Midgley inherits a Mooseheads team that reached the QMJHL final last season and will be one of the favourites to lift the Gilles Courteau Trophy next May. Midgley was in attendance for some of Halifax's playoff games.

“After speaking with Sam and Peter (Simon) and Cam (Russell), it was obvious that our visions for the future of this organization are aligned which was important to me," Midgley said in a press release. "I’m excited to return to the place where I spent seven great seasons and I have been keeping close tabs on the team since I left. Nova Scotia is home for my wife and I, and we are extremely happy with this opportunity."

Midgley was an assistant coach under Jacques Beaulieu in Saint John during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. He was then the director of hockey operations at Rothesay Netherwood for two years before joining the Mooseheads.

His other Saint John connection is his most recent work as an assistant coach with Gerard Gallant's New York Rangers.

All 18 QMJHL clubs now have head coaches in place after an extremely busy off-season. Less than a month ago, eight clubs were without head coaches.

The Cape Breton Eagles, meanwhile, have named former Sea Dogs goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon the team's new goaltender and video coach. The 26-year-old played in three games with Saint John during the 2014-15 season.

“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Eagles organization and join the community of Sydney,” said Mann-Dixon in a news release. “It’s a surreal experience coming back to coach in the league after playing for four years. I am grateful for the opportunity and very thankful to have someone around with as much experience as Scott (Gouthro, the team's goaltender advisor).”

Kilfoil to join Mooseheads; Pekarcik added to USHL roster

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It's been an eventful few days for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

On Thursday, the Halifax Mooseheads announced that Quispamsis native Liam Kilfoil has committed to the club for the 2023-24 season. In March, Kilfoil signed a tender agreement with Dubuque to play with the United States Hockey League club this coming season.

“We are extremely thrilled to be able to make this announcement today,” Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell said in a news release Thursday.

“He has incredible talent and would have gone much higher in the draft, so we are lucky to land a player of his caliber. He will immediately step in and become a key member of our team this season and beyond. We can’t wait to see him on the ice with our players at training camp next month.”

The 16-year-old played in 25 games with both the Buffalo Regals under-16 squad and Salisbury prep school. Kilfoil spent the 2021-22 season at Mount St. Charles where he was roommates with Sea Dogs forward Egan Beveridge. Halifax notably traded up to select Kilfoil in the second round after Saint John chose Beveridge.

The Kilfoil news is a big get for the QMJHL but a big loss for Dubuque — which the Fighting Saints made up for on Monday. The USHL club announced that Slovakian forward Juraj Pekarcik has been added to the team's active roster just a couple weeks after being selected second overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

🚨 ROSTER NEWS | The Fighting Saints have added forward Juraj Pekarcik to the active roster. #HalosHigh

Pekarcik on being a Fighting Saint 🗣 "I'm very excited to be part of the Dubuque team and I'm very excited to be there. I think it's the best choice for my development." pic.twitter.com/kaICuZbtUn

— Dubuque Fighting Saints (@fightingsaints) July 17, 2023

"I'm very excited to be part of the Dubuque team and I'm very excited to be there," Pekarcik said in a tweet posted by the Fighting Saints. "I think it's the best choice for my development."

Pekarcik spent last season in Slovakia and was a third-round pick of the St. Louis Blues in this year's NHL Draft. The 17-year-old likely would have been an impactful player immediately for the rebuilding Titan.

These moves are nothing new as the recruiting war continues to heat up between the CHL and the USHL. Players who opt to play in the USHL maintain their NCAA eligibility.

Former Sea Dogs on the move

Dawson Stairs is heading to Dalhousie University.

It was announced Thursday that the former Saint John Sea Dogs forward has committed to the Dalhousie Tigers of Atlantic University Sport for the 2023-24 season. He'll study commerce while playing for the men's hockey team.

“I am very excited to join the Tigers,” said Stairs in a news release. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about both the school and the hockey program from current and former players. The coaches and players were very supportive during the recruiting process, which I value. From there, I knew Dalhousie was the school I wanted to attend and continue my hockey career. I am excited to put on the black and gold and play in front of the Dalhousie fans.”

Stairs was a seventh-round pick of Saint John in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft and played parts of three seasons with the Sea Dogs. He also played with the Cape Breton Eagles and Charlottetown Islanders during his QMJHL career, which saw him record 106 points in 176 games.

The Fredericton native spent his overage season in the Maritime Hockey League with the Campbellton Tigers.

The Tigers have struggled to be competitive over the past decade in the heavyweight AUS but seem to be doing a better job at recruiting in recent years. Former Sea Dogs forward Matt Green led the Tigers in scoring last season.

Dalhousie begins the regular season on Oct. 6 at Saint Mary's.

A few other Sea Dogs alumni news items...

• Players who received qualifying offers from ECHL clubs: Oliver Cooper (Fort Wayne), Nicolas Guay (Trois-Rivieres), Cedric Pare (Wheeling) and Kelly Bent (Wichita). 
• Goaltender Callum Booth is heading overseas, signing with the Cardiff Devils of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League. Booth played in the AHL, ECHL and the German DEL last season. A Carolina Hurricanes draft pick in 2015, Booth helped the Sea Dogs win the President Cup in 2017.
• After spending last season with SC Bern, forward Chris DiDomenico has signed a two-year-deal with HC Fribourg-Gottéron. DiDomenico spent the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons with Fribourg-Gottéron. This will be the sixth straight season that the 34-year-old has played in Switzerland's National League.
• Goaltender Noah Patenaude is also heading to the National League, signing a two-year deal with HC Ajoie. Patenaude, a dual Canadian and Swiss citizen, played in 14 games with the HCB Ticino Rockets last season, who are part of the the tier-two Swiss League.

Beveridge officially commits to Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs have locked in American forward Egan Beveridge.

Beveridge, Saint John's top pick in this June's QMJHL Entry Draft, has officially committed to joining the team for the 2023-24 season, the Sea Dogs announced Wednesday.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Egan and the Beveridge family have officially committed to join the Sea Dogs organization,” said Sea Dogs general manager Anthony Stella in a news release. “To add a player of Egan’s caliber to our team is a major step towards the continued success of this franchise.”

A New Hampshire native, Beveridge recorded 16 points in 10 regular season games and 10 points in five playoff games with the Chicago Mission last season. He played at Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island the year before.

The 16-year-old is currently taking part in USA Hockey’s BioSteel Boys 16 Player Development Camp where he's regularly been playing top line minutes.

“When a player like Egan who has many options chooses our program to develop as a player, student and person we take great pride and responsibility in that," added Stella in the release. "Today is a great day for this team and we will work hard to continue with this momentum."

This news doesn't come as a surprise but certainly reduces the chances of a last minute change of plans. Beveridge attended the draft in Sherbrooke and took part in the team's development camp in Quispamsis.

While on the small side (he's listed at 5'8" and 168 lbs), he showed off quickness and skill at the team's development camp. This drafting and signing could prove to be a significant part of Saint John's rebuild.

Moncton to host 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft is returning to Moncton.

The QMJHL announced Tuesday that the 2024 edition of the league's annual draft will be held at Moncton's Avenir Centre on Saturday, June 8.

“The draft marks the beginning of a new chapter for these talented athletes,” said commissioner Mario Cecchini, who attended Tuesday's press conference in Moncton. “It is a great opportunity to connect with the people who will be supporting them both on and off the ice throughout their major junior careers. It is the perfect way to welcome them into the QMJHL family.”

It's the first time the event has been held in the Maritimes since Saint John in 2017. Moncton last hosted the event in 2009 at the Moncton Coliseum.

This year's draft was held in Sherbrooke — the first in-person event since 2019 because of the pandemic.

The Wildcats selected first overall in June's draft, picking forward Caleb Desnoyers. We won't know who will be picking first in Moncton until next April — but it could be the Saint John Sea Dogs. Saint John currently owns the first round pick of the Gatineau Olympiques who, if they continue to dismantle their team, could be in the conversation for the draft lottery.

It's been quite a year for hockey at the Avenir Centre. The venue co-hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship with Halifax this past winter and will host the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January.

“With the support of Events Moncton, we are proud to once again be chosen to host the QMJHL Entry Draft in Moncton,” said Robert Irving, president of the Wildcats, in a news release. “We’re looking forward to next season as we’ll not only host the draft, but also the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. It promises to be an exciting year for our fans and the community.” 

The Wildcats haven't been secretive about their intentions to bid on hosting the 2025 Memorial Cup, a process that should heat up in the fall.

“We are all in,” says @monctonwildcats president Robert Irving re approach to put together a bid for 2025 Memorial Cup.

— Kevin Barrett (@KevinBarrettNB) July 11, 2023

Sea Dogs at NHL development camps

Dan Chisholm/Ottawa Senators

It's a light year for the Saint John Sea Dogs at NHL summer development camps.

Undrafted forward Cole Burbidge is the only current Sea Dog that received an NHL development camp invite. Burbidge took part in Ottawa Senators camp as a free agent.

There are a few former Sea Dogs taking part in camps this summer — but the list is short. Notably, two Dogs alumni — defensemen Jeremie Poirier and Yan Kuznetsov — were on the Calgary Flames development camp roster.

"A 2022 Memorial Cup champion along with Poirier with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Kuznetsov has steps to take to be with the big club, but opportunities may present themselves with six of the club’s top eight defensemen due to become unrestricted free-agents after the 2023-24 season," wrote Randy Sportak of The Hockey News.

Here's a full list of current and former Sea Dogs who were/are taking part in NHL development camps this summer.

Anaheim Ducks: None

Arizona Coyotes: Kale McCallum

Boston Bruins: None

Buffalo Sabres: None

Calgary Flames: Yan Kuznetsov Jeremie Poirier 

Carolina Hurricanes: None

Chicago Blackhawks: None

Colorado Avalanche: None

Columbus Blue Jackets: None

Notebook: Dixon takes over Gryphons

University of Guelph

Josh Dixon has been named head coach of the University of Guelph men's hockey team.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs head coach joins the Gryphons after spending the past two seasons as an associate coach with the WHL's Prince George Cougars.

"It is an honour to join the University of Guelph Gryphons and such an impressive athletics department with an established tradition of success, both in student-athlete development and experience in addition to championship achievement at both the provincial and national levels," said Dixon in a news release. "I look forward to the opportunity to lead the men's hockey program back to national prominence and be a part of the excellent culture the Gryphons have created."

Dixon has previous coaching experience at the university level, working with Carleton, Calgary and Mount Royal as an assistant coach.

Dixon spent parts of three seasons with the Sea Dogs before being fired during the 2019-20 season. His numbers in Saint John were less than impressive as he worked with a young and rebuilding team.

The Gryphons have been a strong program over the past decade or so but have had a couple of off years coming out of the pandemic. 

HEAD COACH HIRES

Speaking of head coaches, some hires have been made around the QMJHL.

The biggest is in Quebec City where the rebuilding Remparts will be led by veteran QMJHL coach Eric Veilleux, the team announced Thursday. Veilleux was the long-time head coach of the Shawinigan Cataractes and has also worked as a head coach with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Halifax Mooseheads. He has spent the past four seasons as an assistant with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch.

Two long-time assistant coaches in the QMJHL have been given head coaching opportunities. Benoit Desrosiers will lead the Gatineau Olympiques while Mathieu Turcotte will run the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada bench.

The hires leave the Halifax Mooseheads, Cape Breton Eagles, Sherbrooke Phoenix and Rimouski Oceanic as teams without head coaches at the moment. The Eagles are reportedly close to making an announcement.

#BREAKING: The Cape Breton Eagles have a coach picked and are finishing up the hiring process now. Announcement expected early next week.@capebretonpost #Eagles #CapeBreton #QMJHL

— Luke Dyment (@lwdyment) July 6, 2023

Gauthier signed by Islanders

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Julien Gauthier is returning to the New York area.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs forward signed a two-year deal with the New York Islanders on Wednesday. Gauthier has spent parts of the past four seasons with the New York Rangers but was dealt to the Ottawa Senators in February.

According to the New York Post, Gauthier "inked a two-year, one-way deal at $787,500 average annual value." The fact that the deal is one-way would indicate that the Islanders plan to have Gauthier in their lineup come the fall.

Gauthier struggled to find consistent playing time in the deep Rangers lineup. In 57 games with the Rangers and Senators, the 25-year-old posted nine goals and five assists. He also appeared in four AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack. 

Gauthier has 14 goals and 18 assists in 153 career NHL games.

The Sea Dogs acquired Gauthier from the Val-d'Or Foreurs during the 2017 holiday trade period. He posted 10 goals and 14 assists in 20 regular season games and another 11 goals and six assists in 16 playoff games, helping Saint John win the President Cup.

Gauthier played with Thomas Chabot and Mathieu Joseph in Ottawa, who were also part of that 2017 Sea Dogs team. Ottawa recently signed Matthew Highmore for the upcoming season.

There are no former Sea Dogs currently on the Islanders' roster, but prospect William Dufour could see some game action this coming season. Dufour, who spent the 2022-23 season with the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, played in one game with New York last year.

Former Sea Dogs captain Vincent Sevigny also played in Bridgeport last season.

Busy CHL Import Draft for QMJHL teams

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

As expected, the Saint John Sea Dogs did not select in Wednesday's CHL Import Draft.

The Sea Dogs, who held the 11th overall pick in the CHL-wide draft, were the first team to pass on their selection. Only four teams in the first 40 picks did not select — and, oddly, all four were QMJHL teams (Saint John, Drummondville, Baie-Comeau and Rouyn-Noranda).

Saint John also entered the draft with the 71st overall pick.

This is the first time the Sea Dogs have passed on a pick since 2019 and the first time they've passed on both since 2011. Only two other times in team history — 2008 and 2011 — has Saint John not made a selection at all.

Forwards Pavel Simek and Eriks Mateiko will both return for second seasons with the Sea Dogs and makeup the squad's import duo. Both are coming off solid rookie campaigns after being selected in last year's CHL Import Draft.

While it was a quiet day for Saint John, it was a busy day for a number of other QMJHL teams. Here are a few notes from the draft.

• Slovakian forward Martin Misiak was taken first overall by the OHL's Erie Otters. Misiak joined the USHL champion Youngstown Phantoms (roughly 90 minutes away from Erie) after the world juniors and went on to be selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Notably, he was taken second overall by the Saginaw Spirit in last year's CHL Import Draft.
• With the second overall pick, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan picked Slovakian forward Juraj Pekarcik, a third round selection of the St. Louis Blues in last week's NHL Draft.
• The Moncton Wildcats used both of their picks on Wednesday, taking Czech defenseman Ales Zielinski and Czech forward Sebastian Glas. Moncton also signed German forward Julius Sumpf this week — who does not count as an import as he is also a Canadian citizen.
• The Halifax Mooseheads made one pick, selecting Swiss forward Yannik Ponzetto. The Mooseheads confirmed that Czech defenceman David Moravec will return to the club while captain Attilio Biasca will play professionally in Switzerland next season.
• German defenseman Norwin Panocha, a seventh round pick of the Buffalo Sabres last week, was picked by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 32nd overall.
• With the 37th overall pick, the OHL's Flint Firebirds selected Swedish forward Markas Samenas, who spent last season with the Titan.
• In the second round, the Titan drafted soon-to-turn-19-years-old goaltender Antoine Keller, who was a seventh round pick of the Washington Capitals in last week's NHL Draft. Keller, who is a French and Swiss citizen, played in Switzerland last season but was also a member of France's national junior team.
• The OHL's Brantford Bulldogs (formerly known as the Hamilton Bulldogs), selected Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek, a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft and the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek.
• The WHL's Wenatchee Wild (formerly known as the Winnipeg Ice), selected Japanese forward Kenta Isogai with the final pick of the first round. Isogai, who will turn 19 in August, has spent the past three seasons with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms.
• Kristers Ansons, the younger brother of former Sea Dogs forward Raivis Ansons, was taken in the second round by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
• Alex Cajkovic, the younger brother of former Sea Dogs forward Maxim Cajkovic, was taken in the second round by the OHL's North Bay Battalion.
• Only one Russian was taken: forward Valentin Zhugin was picked by the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. Zhugin was eligible for the draft because he has spent the past two seasons with the OHL's Guelph Storm.
• Ukrainian forward Ihnat Pazii, who has spent the past couple seasons in the United States, was taken 55th overall by North Bay.
• 28 of the 75 players picked on Wednesday were from Czechia.

Sea Dogs will pass on Import Draft

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

There won't be much suspense from the Saint John Sea Dogs during Wednesday's CHL Import Draft.

General manager Antony Stella announced Tuesday that the team will be passing on both of their selections and, in doing so, confirming that forwards Pavel Simek and Eriks Mateiko will both be returning for second seasons in Saint John.

“We’re happy to announce that both Pavel and Eriks will be returning next season to Saint John,” said Stella in a news release. “Considering the adjustment period that they had in year one in a new country, new league and a new brand of hockey, both players showed they can be impactful.” 

The Sea Dogs were scheduled to pick 11th and 71st overall. Passing on 11th overall isn't the most ideal situation, but the Import Draft is more about who you know than where you pick. Teams can often get the player(s) they want no matter where they select.

Both Simek and Mateiko proved to be valuable imports last season and should be significant pieces to the Sea Dogs lineup this year. Simek, taken 48th overall in last year's Import Draft, had 29 points in 61 QMJHL games while Mateiko, selected 108th, had 36 points in 62 games.

Mateiko recently captained Latvia at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship where he recorded a goal and an assist in five games.

“We expect them both to take a step forward this upcoming season on and off the ice and for them to continue to contribute to our team,” Stella said.

This is the first time the Sea Dogs have passed on a pick since 2019 and the first time they've passed on both since 2011. Only two other times in team history — 2008 and 2011 — has Saint John not made a selection at all.

The OHL's Erie Otters will pick first overall followed by the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan and WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. The draft, which begins at noon Atlantic, can be followed online.

Senators add more former Sea Dogs

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The Ottawa Senators continue to try and get the 2017 President Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs back together.

After bringing in Mathieu Joseph to join Thomas Chabot last year, the Sens added forwards Matthew Highmore and Boko Imama to their organization on Saturday. All four helped the Sea Dogs win the QMJHL championship in 2017.

Both Highmore and Imama signed one-year, two-way contracts with the Senators, allowing them to move back-and-forth between Ottawa and AHL Belleville. Both players spent most of last season in the AHL.

Highmore, after playing in 46 games with the Vancouver Canucks in 2021-22, appeared in just two NHL games with the St. Louis Blues this past season. In 68 AHL games with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Highmore recorded 19 goals and 42 assists. He was considered one of the top AHL forwards on the market.

Forward Matthew Highmore signed a 1 year deal with @Senators yesterday. @MHighmore15 @OctagonHockey pic.twitter.com/xF4zAqPJOl

— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) July 2, 2023

Imama, meanwhile, appeared in five games with the Arizona Coyotes last season. In 50 AHL games with the Tucson Roadrunners, the 26-year-old had five goals, 10 assists and 109 penalty minutes.

Forward Julien Gauthier, who was also a member of that 2017 Sea Dogs team, has become an unrestricted free agent. The 25-year-old played in 17 games with Ottawa last year after being acquired from the New York Rangers, posting three goals and two assists.

Belleville will likely feature another former Sea Dogs forward in 2023-24 in Philippe Daoust. The 2022 Memorial Cup champion played in just nine games last season after suffering a season ending injury early in the year.

Another Ottawa connection: current Sea Dogs forward Cole Burbidge will attend Senators development camp this week after receiving a free agent invite.