Héroux traded to Foreurs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs have traded Nolann Héroux to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

In exchange for the 17-year-old forward, the Sea Dogs receive a first-round pick in the 2027 QMJHL Entry Draft (Chicoutimi) along with two second-round picks in 2028 (one being Val-d'Or's and the other Drummondville's).

The Sea Dogs confirmed in a news release that Héroux requested a trade.

“Nolann is a good player, and he was looking for a greater opportunity. We wanted to accommodate him in that,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie. “For us, this transaction was about maximizing value for the future. Chicoutimi’s first-round pick in 2027 was a critical asset, and adding two second-round picks gives us significant flexibility moving forward. Turning one player into three high-value assets puts us in a strong position moving forward.”

This is a sizeable return for the Sea Dogs – particularly the first-round pick, which could end up being in the lottery. These picks could certainly be used to make other deals this weekend or in the future.

The Sea Dogs selected Héroux with the 10th overall pick in last year's draft. He appeared in 39 games with Saint John, recording three goals and 10 assists. He also played in all four of the team's playoff games.

Héroux spent most of the first half of the 2025-26 season with under-18 Saint-Eustache Vikings where he recorded 15 goals and 18 assists in 26 games.

Héroux is a speedy forward with skill but the knock on him is his size. He's listed at just 5'8" and 151 lbs on the QMJHL website.

The next trade window is during the first-round of the QMJHL Entry Draft, which begins Friday night at 7:30 p.m. AT.

More moves likely to come

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a big splash during the first trade period of QMJHL Entry Draft week – and there are likely more moves to come.

On Tuesday, the Sea Dogs acquired veteran forward Olivier Lemieux from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Buffalo Sabres goaltending prospect Samuel Meloche from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Those were the first of what could be many significant moves for the Sea Dogs in the coming days.

Mikaël Lalancette reported earlier this week that the Sea Dogs are expected to trade forward Nolann Héroux – who the team selected with the 10th overall pick in last year's draft – to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

La LHJMQ ouvrira une fenêtre de transactions ce mardi.

Xavier Lebel prendra le chemin de Victoriaville, Dominic Pilote ira à Baie-Comeau et Nolann Héroux à Val-d’Or, notamment.

Quelques infos glanées ici et là:https://t.co/A5ZCH03uI5

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) June 2, 2026

Héroux appeared in 26 games with the under-18 Saint-Eustache Vikings in the first half of last season, posting 15 goals and 18 assists. He finished the season with Saint John, recording three goals and 10 assists in 39 games.

A top-10 pick who turned 17 in March, Héroux will likely fetch a big return for Saint John.

Notebook: Thomas back with Sea Dogs

CHL

Former Saint John Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas is back with the organization.

The team announced Monday that Thomas, who captained the Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup championship in 2011, has been named Saint John's "Player Mentor."

According to a Sea Dogs news release, "Thomas will work closely with the team’s leadership group, providing mentorship, guidance, and support throughout the season. He will also serve as a resource for players, helping foster a strong team-first culture while supporting the continued development of the club’s leadership core."

Thomas is the first person to have this title with the Sea Dogs.

“We’re excited to welcome Mike back to the team in an official capacity,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie. “Since Mike finished his playing career with the Sea Dogs, he has always stayed engaged with the team and taken a keen interest in the development of our players. Mike’s championship pedigree, leadership, and teaching background make him a valuable resource for our team.”

OFFICIATING CHANGES

Ghislain Hébert has been named the QMJHL's Director of Officiating, the league announced this week.

From the league's news release:

Hébert officiated in the NHL from 2009 to 2025, working 1,005 regular-season games over the course of his career. Last season, he officiated in Germany’s top professional league, the DEL.

Prior to joining the NHL in 2009, he spent one season in both the ECHL and the American Hockey League after a seven-year stint in the QMJHL, including four seasons as a linesman and three as a referee. 

Ghislain Hébert assumes his new responsibilities effective immediately and will report to QMJHL Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Éric Chouinard.

Hébert replaces Richard Trottier, who held the position for the past 16 seasons.

Sea Dogs acquire Meloche from Huskies

Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads

The Saint John Sea Dogs solidified their goaltending on Tuesday, acquiring Buffalo Sabres prospect Samuel Meloche from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

In exchange for Meloche and the 34th overall pick in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft, the Sea Dogs traded the 15th (Blainville-Boisbriand) and 32nd (Drummondville) overall picks in this year's draft; second- (Blainville-Boisbriand) and third-round (Rouyn-Noranda) picks in 2027; a sixth-round pick in 2028; and prospect Cole Renaud.

It's a major move that signifies that the Sea Dogs want to contend this season.

Meloche, who will turn 19 in July, posted a 33-13-3 record in the regular season to go along with a 2.75 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. He also had a strong post-season run, going 10-7-0 with a 2.52 GAA and .905 SV% to help the Huskies reach the third round.

In the regular season last year, Meloche was second in wins (behind Rudy Guimond) and third in minutes played (behind Guimond and Donald Hickey).

This was the second straight season that Meloche played 50 or more regular season games. He was a second-round pick of the Huskies in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Selected in the fourth-round by the Sabres in last year's NHL Draft, Meloche is projected to be one of the QMJHL's top goaltenders this season. Goaltending has long been an issue for the Sea Dogs over the past decade, and to see a move like this right out of the gate is a promising sign.

Meloche is committed to Northeastern University for the 2027-28 season.

The team does have a bit of a crowded crease at the moment, something that will need to be dealt with. Both Rafaël Courchesne and Arseni Radkov are eligible to return and the team also has prospect Jase MacPherson.

Speaking of prospects, the Sea Dogs traded away Renaud, a16-year-old forward who was a sixth-round pick of the team in last year's draft. He appeared in one game with the Sea Dogs while playing with the under-18 Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois last season.

Lemieux officially traded to Sea Dogs

Embed from Getty Images 

As long rumoured/reported, Olivier Lemieux has been traded to the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs officially acquired the overage forward from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Tuesday in exchange for a fifth-round pick (Charlottetown's) in the 2028 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Lemieux, who will turn 20 in November, is coming off a solid playoff run with the Armada that saw him post eight goals and four assists in 17 games. He finished third on the team in goals and helped the Armada come within a win of reaching the league final.

Originally a third-round pick of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft, Lemieux spent parts of two seasons with the Drakkar before being moved to the Armada during the 2023-24 season. This past season he recorded career highs in goals (16), assists (22) and points (38).

Lemieux plays a gritty style, something the Sea Dogs didn't have a lot of this past season. It wouldn't be a shock to see his offensive numbers take a jump this coming season, which often happens for overagers.

The Sea Dogs and Armada made a number of moves during the holiday trade period. Saint John sent depth forwards Elliot Dubé and Jacob Beaulieu to Blainville-Boisbriand and acquired defenseman Bo Damphousse and goaltender Arseni Radkov.

The Armada pretty much confirmed this deal during a press conference a few weeks ago.

Busy week beginning for Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It's expected to be a busy week for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The team has been fairly quiet since getting swept in the opening round of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League playoffs – but that is going to change this week.

The Sea Dogs are expected to announce a few trades as the team appears poised to enter contender status. A deal or two could be announced as early as Tuesday when the first trade period of the week opens.

QMJHL Trade Periods for Entry Draft Week:

- Tuesday, June 2 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Thursday, June 4 - 8:30-9:30 a.m.

- Friday, June 5 - During the draft.

- Saturday, June 6 - During the draft.

Note: The times indicated are Atlantic Time. #qmjhl #lhjmq

— Jeremy Fraser (@CBPost_Jeremy) May 30, 2026

Friday and Saturday are big days as well, of course. The first-round of the QMJHL Entry Draft – which the Sea Dogs currently have two picks in – will take place Friday night with the remaining rounds scheduled for Saturday.

There's also the possibility of other signings – although those are more likely to come after the draft. The biggest name to watch remains Jamie Glance who spent this past season with the USNTDP.

Saint John is hard at work trying to sign Jamie Glance, 6th round pick and BU commit for 27/28. Played for the USNTDP. Would be a perfect fit for their forward group. https://t.co/Qmi2ToMt2F

— Greg Macdonald (@gmacsask) June 1, 2026

Here's a quick rundown of some off-season coverage if you're in need of catching up:

• Plenty of questions facing Sea Dogs
• Armada GM: Lemieux to be traded to Saint John
• Here's where Saint John will (currently) pick at the QMJHL Entry Draft
• QMJHL Central Scouting releases final 2026 rankings
• Sea Dogs land fifth overall pick

We'll also be keeping an eye on what the other Atlantic teams do this week. It certainly looks like Cape Breton, Moncton, Newfoundland, Saint John and (apparently) Halifax could all be making runs this season.