Notebook: Crickard, Beaulieu win wild WHL debut

Swift Current Broncos

It was quite a Western Hockey League coaching debut for Travis Crickard and the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday.

The Broncos defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 5-2 in a game that was highlighted by an old school line brawl in the second period. Former Sea Dogs forward Jacob Beaulieu, also making his WHL regular season debut, was involved.

Haven't seen a legit 5 on 5 in awhile. #WHL
Swift Current Vs Prince Albert 09.19.26 #HFH pic.twitter.com/Yz7W8mpN0E

— Hockey Fight History (@HistoryOfFights) September 20, 2026

Crickard, the former head coach and general manager of the Sea Dogs, took over as Broncos head coach and general manager during the off-season.

Beaulieu was a free agent invite to Broncos training camp. The overage forward was also named part of the team's leadership group for the 2026-27 season.

The Broncos don't play again until Friday when they face the Moose Jaw Warriors.

SATURDAY FIGHTS

The Sea Dogs and Newfoundland Regiment had two fights within the first few minutes of the second period on Saturday.

The first saw a couple of Newfoundlanders drop the gloves as soon-to-turn-17-year-old Benjamin Veitch took on 19-year-old Jabez Seymour. 

Soon after, Matyas Cancik, in just his second career QMJHL game, took on 19-year-old Ryan Dwyer.

Both games this weekend were physical at times – which is often the case against Gordie Dwyer teams. It will be interesting to see if the Sea Dogs continue to lean into that style against other opponents.

UP NEXT

The best part about the 2026-27 QMJHL season in Atlantic Canada? It's going to feel like the big games keep on coming.

After opening the season with a split in Newfoundland, the Sea Dogs hit TD Station ice this weekend with a pair of interesting games.

On Friday, the Sea Dogs welcome Gardiner MacDougall and the Moncton Wildcats. The Wildcats, who have appeared in the league finals in back-to-back seasons, are off to a 2-0 start following wins over the Charlottetown Islanders and Halifax Mooseheads. Game time Friday is 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the Cape Breton Eagles, who are 0-0-0-2, come to town for a 4 p.m. game. This is the first of eight meetings between the Sea Dogs and Eagles. Many predict the two to be amongst the best teams in the QMJHL this season.

EARLY LEADERS

Dylan Rozzi is off to a hot start.

The 18-year-old scored three goals during this weekend's two-game set in Newfoundland, making him the team's early goals and points leader. Rozzi had 20 goals and 45 points in 64 games last season.

The duo of Alexis Joseph and Jamie Glance – who will have a lot of eyes on them throughout the year – head home with two assists each. Glance also posted a team high nine shots on goal.

Alexander Donovan also had two points on the weekend, posting a goal and an assist.

Saint John's special teams had an impressive weekend. The team went 4/10 on power plays and a perfect 7/7 on penalty kills.

KEY DATES

The QMJHL's 2026-27 media guide was released last week. Here are a few key dates that were included in the guide.

• QMJHL Prospects Game: Oct. 28 (GAT)
• CHL USA Prospects Challenge: Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 (CHI and QUE)
• Christmas break: Dec. 19-27
• Holiday trade period: Dec. 19 - Jan. 6
• Memorial Cup: May 21-30 (Guelph)
• QMJHL Entry Draft: June 4-5 (VIC)

The guide also lists TD Station's seating capacity at 5,990 and total capacity at 6,190.

DWYER EXTENDED

Former Sea Dogs head coach Gordie Dwyer has had his contract extended with the Regiment through 2030. The rest of the club's coaching staff has been extended through the 2027-28 season.

From the Regiment:

Dwyer, who oversees both the bench and the club’s roster construction, will continue to lead the department under the longest term of any member of the group, working alongside assistant coaches Dynan and Beston. Smith continues to direct hockey operations and the club’s video program, while Small and Jay return to lead the medical and equipment staffs respectively. 

“Continuity matters in this business, and this group has earned it,” said Regiment president Glenn Stanford. “Gordie and his staff have built a standard here that our players and our fans can see every night. Having Gordie signed through 2030 and this entire department together gives our organization the stability it needs to keep growing, and it sends a clear message about the direction we’re headed.”

Dwyer coached the Sea Dogs during the 2021-22 regular season and playoffs. He was fired following the team's first-round playoff exit.

BCHL DEBUTS

Former Sea Dogs goaltender Justin Robinson made his BCHL debut with the Sherwood Park Crusaders on the weekend.

Robinson allowed four goals on 45 shots in Sherwood Park's 4-3 loss to the Spruce Grove Saints on Friday. He also played the third period in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Blackfalds Bulldogs, allowing two goals on 10 shots.

Robinson, who finished the 2025-26 season with the Summerside Western Capitals after his QMJHL rights were traded to the Wildcats, is still sporting his Sea Dogs mask and gear.

Former Sea Dogs defenseman Carl-Otto Magnusson also made his BCHL debut this past weekend, appearing in two games with the Nanaimo Clippers. Magnusson recorded an assist in the Clippers' 4-2 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday.

Speaking of the Capitals, their roster includes former Dogs defenseman John Lumsden, who is playing in his second BCHL season.

Kaidan Sahajpal, meanwhile, has a goal in two games with the West Kelowna Warriors. The 18-year-old has attended Sea Dogs training camp the past couple years.

Kaidan Sahajpal DANCES through the defence and gets a lucky bounce to finish it off🕺#BCHL | @BCHLWarriors pic.twitter.com/ldFE9X0jOs

— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) September 20, 2026

OTHER THINGS

• Sportsnet has a QMJHL season preview.
• Luke Mutch provided FloHockey and Sea Dogs audio network play-by-play during both of Saint John's season opening games in Newfoundland. He will be calling all Sea Dogs road games this season while Bruce and Joe Smith will handle home games.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence has a goal and two assists in two games with his new club – HK Olimpija Ljubljana of the ICEHL.
• Former Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier has also scored his first goal in his new home. Poirier has a goal in two games with the DEL's Adler Mannheim.
• The Saint John Flames of the Beausejour Senior Hockey League held an open practice this weekend at the Lord Beaverbrook Rink. The team was sporting old Sea Dogs jerseys and practice jerseys. The Flames begin regular season play on Oct. 3 against the Fredericton Express.
• In more jersey news: the Wildcats are wearing a shoulder patch that honours Robert Irving. The Halifax Mooseheads, meanwhile, are wearing white helmets with their white jerseys this season.
• An interesting time for the USHL, who have taken a hit following the NCAA rule change.

  As far as the announced and planned USHL western expansion Hefferan said “it's a little too early to tell yet if were going to be able to go for 27-28 (season)” on those teams and markets.

  — Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 18, 2026