Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Notebook: Two Sea Dogs named to U18 camp roster

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
Two Saint John Sea Dogs were named to Hockey Canada's camp roster for the 2026 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship.

Sea Dogs forward Alexis Joseph and defenseman Cameron Chartrand were both named to the 23-player roster. More players are likely to be added as teams get eliminated from the CHL playoffs.

Joseph posted 24 goals and 36 assists in 54 regular season games this past season. He also captained Canada Red to gold at the U17 World Challenge this past fall, recording 13 points in five games.

Chartrand appeared in just 35 games with the Sea Dogs this season due to injuries, recording two goals and five assists. He played for Canada Red at the U17 World Challenge in 2024.

Sherbrooke Phoenix forward Thomas Rousseau was the only other QMJHL player invited to the camp. Fredericton's Tynan Lawrence of Boston University also earned an invite.

The under-18 tournament takes place April 22 to May 2 in Bratislava and Trencin, Slovakia.

TRANSFER PORTAL OPENS
It's been a wild few days in NCAA hockey with the sport's transfer portal opening up – which is essentially college hockey's version of free agency.

Here are the Sea Dogs alumni who entered the portal:

  • Charles-Edward Gravel (Mercyhurst)
  • Charles Savoie (Lindenwood)
  • Matteo Mann (Colorado College)

Gravel was essentially forced into the portal with Mercyhurst cutting men's hockey. Mann, meanwhile, was seemingly being pushed out of a roster spot with Colorado College adding defensemen while Savoie was likely looking for an opportunity with a team that is part of a conference (Lindenwood is an independent).

Of the three, only Savoie has found a new home. The 23-year-old, who played at Concordia University during the 2024-25 season, has joined the Lake Superior State Lakers of the CCHA.

VICTO TO HOST DRAFT
Victoriaville will host the 2027 QMJHL Entry Draft, the league announced Tuesday.

“We are very pleased to hold this important event in Victoriaville," aid QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini in a news release. "The Tigres organization, led in part by Director of Operations Martin Paquet, will successfully carry out this project in collaboration with the league. The in-person draft is an unforgettable moment for our prospects and their families."

The event will take place June 4-5, 2027 at Colisee Desjardins. It's the first time Victoriaville has hosted the draft since 2011 – the infamous draft where the Baie-Comeau Drakkar selected Nathan MacKinnon first overall.

This year's QMJHL Entry Draft will take place in Halifax from June 5-6.

INNISS SIGNS IN ECHL
Former Sea Dogs defenseman Christopher Inniss has signed with the ECHL's Trois-Rivieres Lions, the club announced Tuesday.

The 25-year-old completed his fourth season at Concordia University where he posted two goals and three assists in 27 games. He recorded four goals and 20 assists in 104 games over four seasons at Concordia.

As the Lions notes, Inniss is the fourth Stingers alumni to play for the ECHL squad this season. Among that group is former Sea Dogs forward Nicholas Girouard, who has played in 14 games with Trois-Rivieres following the conclusion of Concordia's season.

Former Sea Dogs defenseman Kale McCallum joined the Lions last week after he finished his season with the NCAA's Providence College Friars.

The Lions will play their final two games of the regular season this weekend. They will not make the playoffs.

OTHER THINGS
  • Craig Eagles has a story on former Sea Dogs defenseman Max Vilen, who has been quite solid for the Moncton Wildcats down the stretch.
  • It's been a good week for William Villeneuve, who made his NHL debut on the weekend.
  • Tuesday night QMJHL playoff scores:
    • Newfoundland defeated Blainville-Boisbriand 5-4 to even the series at 2-2. Game 5 is Friday in St. John's.
    • Moncton defeated Val-d'Or 7-4 to take a 3-0 series lead. Gabe Smith had four goals.
    • Rouyn-Noranda defeated Shawinigan 3-2 to take a 3-0 series lead.
    • Moncton, Rouyn-Noranda and Chicoutimi can all complete series sweeps on Wednesday.
  • Sone broadcast information for this year's QMJHL Entry Draft has been confirmed. "The first round will air on Eastlink Community TV and TVA Sports on June 5, while the ensuing rounds will be available on the QMJHL’s YouTube channel," stated a QMJHL news release on Tuesday. Eastlink has typically aired their broadcast on YouTube.
  • Wildcats forward Gavin Cornforth, who left Boston College mid-season to play in the QMJHL, has transferred to UMass via the NCAA transfer portal. Cornforth had six goals in Moncton's first round sweep of the Sea Dogs.
  • Former QMJHL goaltender Alexis Cournoyer, who had an excellent season at Cornell University, appears to be on the move in the NCAA. Wisconsin fell to Denver in the Frozen Four final on Saturday.
  • Former QMJHL goaltender Quentin Miller has also entered the NCAA transfer portal. Miller was likely to be Denver's backup this coming season after the run Johnny Hicks had, leading the Pioneers to a national title.
  • Justin Poirier, the younger brother of former Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier, is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal after one season at Maine.
  • Defenseman Natan Grenier has committed to play at the Université de Moncton next season. Grenier was a first-round pick of Saint John in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft but never played a game for the team, getting traded to the Wildcats in the massive Philippe Daoust deal. Grenier spent most of his junior career with the Wildcats and played his overage season with the MHL's West Kent Steamers.
  • 17-year-old American forward Caiden Pellegrino has signed with the Rimouski Oceanic for this coming season. Pellegrino is a Providence College commit.
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