Sea Dogs to pick first overall (yet again)

QMJHL

They've done it again.

The Saint John Sea Dogs won yet another draft lottery on Wednesday, meaning they now own the first overall pick in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft. The Sea Dogs, who finished second last in the regular season standings, had the second best odds of winning.

It's the seventh time the Sea Dogs have won the draft lottery, a remarkable number for a franchise that just completed its 20th season. Saint John last picked first overall in 2019 when they selected Joshua Roy. That draft, like this year's edition, took place in Quebec City.

Year	Odds of win	Result	Selection
2025	28% (2nd)	1st	TBD June 6
2024	5% (5th)	5th	William Yared
2020	10% (4th)	3rd	Leighton Carruthers
2019	5% (5th)	1st	Joshua Roy
2018	43% (1st)	2nd	William Villeneuve
2015*	50%	1st	Joe Veleno
2014*	50%	1st	Luke Green
2007*	50%	1st	Simon Despres
2006*	50%	1st	Yann Sauve
2005*	50%	1st	Alex Grant

*Lottery was only between the QMJHL's two last-place teams

“It is a great day for the Sea Dogs organization and the city of Saint John,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a news release. “We are very excited to have the first overall pick. It will provide a great deal of flexibility toward selecting a high-end player.”

Who will be picked first overall will be a fun debate over the next few weeks. Most of the hype has been around forwards Alexis Joseph and James Scantlebury.

The Sea Dogs once again confirmed that they'll have two additional first-round picks on draft day, including the 10th overall selection. 

The 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft takes place June 6-7 at Videotron Centre.

The Victoriaville Tigres, who had the best odds of winning the lottery, will pick second followed by the Halifax Mooseheads, Quebec Remparts and Newfoundland Regiment.