Notebook: Poirier signs in Germany

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Jeremie Poirier is heading overseas.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman has signed with Adler Mannheim of the DEL, Germany's highest level of professional hockey. The club announced the signing on Thursday.

The 24-year-old has spent his entire professional career in the AHL, mostly with the Calgary Wranglers. Poirier was traded to the Texas Stars this past season.

Adler verpflichten Jérémie Poirier ✍️

🔗 https://t.co/e8hZAUwENl

Der 24-jährige Kanadier wechselt aus der nordamerikanischen AHL in die @DELoffiziell und erhält bei den Adlern die Rückennummer 54.#AdlerMannheim #PENNYDEL #Eishockey #Hockey #DEL #Mannheim #MERC #Summer pic.twitter.com/t8ZnztYsCd

— Adler Mannheim (@adlermannheim) July 9, 2026

In 51 games split between the Wranglers and Stars in 2025-26, Poirier posted five goals and 11 assists. He leaves North America having recorded 22 goals and 90 assists in 214 regular season AHL games. He had another three goals and nine assists in 17 playoff contests.

Poirier was a third-round pick of the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft but never got into an NHL game. He spent four seasons with Saint John and helped the club win the 2022 Memorial Cup.

SPADAFORE SIGNS WITH FLAMES

Jordan Spadafore is returning to Saint John.

The former Sea Dogs defenseman has signed with the Saint John Flames of the Beausejour Senior Hockey League for the 2026-27 season, the club announced last week. 

The 25-year-old spent parts of two seasons with the Sea Dogs. He also played with the Rimouski Oceanic and Val-d'Or Foreurs during his QMJHL career.

Spadafore played a couple seasons at Nipissing University in North Bay before turning pro in 2023-24. He spent a season with the SPHL's Evansville Thunderbolts before signing with the Milton Keynes Lightning of the National Ice Hockey League, the second-tier of pro hockey in Great Britain. He has played the past two seasons overseas.

So far, along with Spadafore, the Flames will feature former Sea Dogs Nick Blagden, Zach Alchorn and Kiefer Lyons.

Video: Joseph shows off shootout skills

QMJHL

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Alexis Joseph showed off some impressive shootout skills this weekend at the Make Your Move event in Boisbriand.

According to its website, those who attended the 2026 Make Your Move event would "experience the most electric night of the summer. A shootout-only event featuring elite players, influencers, and unreal creativity."

The QMJHL Stars team consisted of Joseph, Maddox Dagenais, Justin Carbonneau, Kyan Labbé and Nathan Quinn.

Obviously, Alexis Joseph would score on that move! 🔥@SJSeaDogs pic.twitter.com/agS2RHSAZr

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) July 11, 2026

He's unbelievable!!! 🤯🤯🤯

Having done so earlier today, Alexis Joseph strikes again at Make Your Move Hockey! Wow! 🔥

@SJSeaDogs pic.twitter.com/YkfeHVHok3

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) July 12, 2026

Rewatch the best moments of the Open Category final at Make Your Move Hockey with our camera! 🎥

The QMJHL Stars, featuring Alexis Joseph, Maddox Dagenais, Justin Carbonneau, Kyan Labbé and Nathan Quinn, took the win! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bUgxBTw62K

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) July 12, 2026

The Sea Dogs did not take part in any shootouts this past season, so we've yet to see Joseph's skill set in the breakaway contest.

According to the league, the QMJHL Stars won the open category.

A number of former QMJHL stars were also in attendance, including former Sea Dogs forward William Dufour.

McFadden signs with USHL's Steel

Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Brian McFadden has signed a standard player development agreement with the USHL's Chicago Steel, the team announced Friday.

The 18-year-old defenseman was recently selected in the fifth-round of this year's NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals.

Listed at 6'5" and 183 lbs, McFadden just completed his second and final season with Thayer Academy. In 29 games with the US prep school last season, McFadden, the team's captain, recorded two goals and 15 assists.

Signed on the dotted line 🖊️

Washington Capitals draft pick Brian McFadden has signed his USHL SPDA for the 2026-27 season 🤝 #ChicagoHockey #USHL pic.twitter.com/25XP8fmLeJ

— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) July 10, 2026

McFadden was a seventh-round pick of Saint John in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft. He appeared in one pre-season game with the Sea Dogs last year before being amongst the second round of cuts from the team's training camp roster.

“It was an unreal feeling. We’re just so thankful that we can all be here.”

Brian McFadden on his reaction to being drafted by the Capitals and describes his style of play as a 6-foot-5 defenseman.#CapsDevCamp pic.twitter.com/iA8vsMFrXT

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 30, 2026

While it seems unlikely that McFadden will join the Sea Dogs this season, there is still a chance he could play for the team down the road – and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the USHL from prep school hockey. He is committed to Northeastern University.

Sea Dogs add another assistant

Soo Greyhounds

The Saint John Sea Dogs have rounded out their coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.

Joining Jim Hulton's staff will be Daniel Nikandrov, who will be an assistant coach with the Sea Dogs. The team made the announcement on Thursday.

“We are pleased to welcome Danny to the Sea Dogs,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a release. “He came highly recommended as a player’s coach who builds strong relationships and connects well with young athletes. Having served as a captain during his OHL career, he understands what it takes to compete at this level. Danny was excited about the opportunity to return to the East Coast, and we believe he’ll be an outstanding fit alongside Jim, Guy, and the rest of our coaching staff.”

Nikandrov, 31, spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Prior to that he spent a season as an assistant at StFX University and three other seasons as an assistant at York University.

York is where Nikandrov's playing days ended. His junior career saw him play with the OHL's Sarnia Sting and Peterborough Petes.

The Greyhounds announced on Monday that Nikandrov and fellow assistant coach Brendan Taylor would not return to the club this fall. 

“We want to sincerely thank Danny and Tayls for everything they’ve done for our program and our players, both on and off the ice,” said Greyhound general manager Kyle Raftis in a release. “Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment have had a tremendous impact on our organization. We’re grateful for the contributions they’ve made during their time with the Greyhounds and wish them nothing but continued success in the next chapter of their careers.”

Soo recently named Drew Bannister their new head coach, replacing John Dean.

Nikandrov will join Hulton and fellow assistant Guy Girouard behind the Saint John bench this season. Hulton and Girouard were officially hired last month. Director of hockey operations and assistant coach Kyle MacDonald is the only member of last season's coaching staff set to return.

Sea Dogs alumni on the move

Embed from Getty Images 

Fresh off capturing a Calder Cup championship, former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman William Villeneuve has re-signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Villeneuve signed a two-year deal with the Leafs, the club announced on Wednesday.

From the team's release:

Villeneuve, 24, skated in 61 games with the Marlies last season, recording 30 points (3 goals, 27 assists) while adding 23 points (2 goals, 21 assists) in 24 playoff games en route to a Calder Cup championship. In 226 career AHL games, he has collected 120 points (12 goals, 108 assists). Villeneuve made his NHL debut on April 11, 2026, against the Florida Panthers.

The 24-year-old has spent his entire pro career with the Maple Leafs organization, which was highlighted by a Calder Cup title with the Marlies last month.

A few other Sea Dogs alumni happenings from the past few weeks...

• Josh Lawrence is on the move yet again, signing with HK Olimpija Ljubljana of the ICEHL (which features clubs from around Central Europe). The 24-year-old spent last season in Russia and Slovakia, which was capped off by helping HK Nitra win the Slovak Extraliga. Since turning pro, Lawrence has played in Switzerland, Finland, Russia, Slovakia and now Slovenia.
• Tomas Jurco is returning home, signing with his hometown team, HC Kosice of the Slovak Extraliga, earlier this month. The 33-year-old has spent most of the past five seasons in the KHL and had a brief stint in Switzerland. Jurco hasn't played in a Slovakian league since he was a teenager.
• Nathan Beaulieu has been named an assistant coach of Florida Atlantic University’s Division Il hockey club, which is based in Boca Raton. According to the University Press, Florida Atlantic is coming off a College Hockey South DII Championship. Beaulieu spent last season as an assistant coach at Saint Mary's University.
• Fresh off helping the Florida Everblades win an ECHL championship, Oliver Cooper has signed with the Fredericton Express of the Beausejour Senior Hockey League. The 31-year spent all of last season in the ECHL, recording 25 points in 65 regular season games and another five points in 19 post-season contests. Cooper is a Fredericton native who played four seasons with UNB.
• Aiden MacIntosh is heading overseas. After finishing his final season at York University and helping the Evansville Thunderbolts win a SPHL championship, the 25-year-old has signed with Montpellier in France for the 2026-27 season.
• Former Sea Dogs assistant coach Stefan Legein is returning to the AHL's Belleville Senators for another season. This will be Legein's third season as an assistant with Belleville.

Moncton, Quebec named 2028 Memorial Cup host finalists

The 2028 Memorial Cup will be hosted by either the Moncton Wildcats or Quebec Remparts.

The Canadian Hockey League announced Monday that the two cities are the finalists to host the 2028 tournament, which is the next time the QMJHL has the event.

According to a news release, "Moncton and Quebec were selected by the 2028 Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee, an independent panel of five individuals with extensive experience across the sports landscape. As the first step in the process, the committee reviewed submissions from QMJHL clubs that declared their intent to bid before identifying the two finalist clubs that would advance."

The Newfoundland Regiment and Gatineau Olympiques were believed to also have interest in hosting the event.

Both Moncton and Quebec City have hosted the Memorial Cup in the past – but neither have done so in their new buildings. The Moncton Coliseum hosted the 2006 tournament while Colisee Pepsi hosted a few times, most recently in 2015.

“The Memorial Cup holds a special place in our game because of the players, fans, volunteers, and communities who bring it to life each year,” said Dan MacKenzie, president of the CHL, in a news release. “Moncton and Quebec are two proud hockey markets with deep connections to this championship, passionate fan bases, strong organizational leadership, and a clear understanding of what it takes to host an event of this calibre. We are confident either city would provide an exceptional stage for the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, and we thank all of the QMJHL clubs that expressed interest in being part of this process.”

The 2028 host city is expected to be announced by the end of October.

The Rimouski Oceanic were the most recent QMJHL host, holding the event in 2025. The last Maritime city to host was Saint John in 2022.

The OHL's Guelph Storm will host the 2027 Memorial Cup.