Hockey is getting closer

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Folks, we're almost there.

The calendar flipping to August means that hockey is near. The Saint John Sea Dogs will play their first game of the QMJHL's pre-season in less than three weeks, visiting the Moncton Wildcats on Aug. 19.

A few news and notes...

• The QMJHL's pre-season trade period opens Aug. 1 and runs until Aug. 24.
• A new college hockey recruiting window opens on Aug. 1. While not a strict ranking, the Grand Forks Herald had Sea Dogs forward Alexis Joseph as the No. 2 player available behind Everett's Landon Dupont, who earned exceptional player status into the WHL.
• Sea Dogs forward William Yared and defenseman Cameron Chartrand are both taking part in Team Canada's under-18 camp in Oakville. They both suited up for Team Red on Thursday.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Oliver Cooper is returning to North America, signing with the ECHL's Florida Everblades. The 30-year-old has spent the past couple seasons in Europe. Cooper won an ECHL championship with the Fort Wayne Komets in 2021.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Matt Green will have a new home this season. According to Elite Prospects, the 27-year-old hasn't played since his final season at Dalhousie University in 2022-23.

  Signing Alert 📰
  
  Former @AmherstRamblers Matt Green has signed overseas with the Heerenveen Flyers in the CEHL🇳🇱.
  
  Green last played during the 2022-23 season with Dalhousie University, where he collected 20 points (7G,13A) in 26 games.
  
  Matt also brings a wealth of experience… pic.twitter.com/Gjh9cWomLg

  — Maritime Hockey (@HockeyMaritime) July 30, 2025

• Some bad news for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens (and the QMJHL): Tynan Lawrence, the younger brother of former Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence, plans to return to the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks this season, reports Le Quotidien. Lawrence is a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft.
• The Maritime Hockey League announced Thursday that it will adopt the IIHF's facial protection rule along with adopting the QMJHL's rule book. The move is part of a Hockey Canada pilot project.