Breaking Down The 2015 Draft Class

SHERBROOKE, Que. – Another draft is in the books for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs drafted a total of 18 players on Saturday: 10 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. Of those players, two of them are American.

Saint John drafted forward Joseph Veleno with the first overall pick and then picked up goaltender Alex D’Orio and Cedric Pare with the ninth and 10^th overall picks, respectively.

The other players Saint John drafted? Here’s a look at those players.

Round 3 – 51^st overall: D Vincent Martineau

Listed at 6’00” and 201 lbs, the 16-year old recorded three goals and 12 assists in 42 games with Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix of the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League last season. Martineau was ranked 33^rd by QMJHL Central Scouting and 16^th by HockeyProspect.com.

“Martineau is one of the best right-handed defensemen from this draft class,” writes HockeyProspect.com.

“He plays well in one-on-one situations by closing his gap quickly. He rarely leaves a forward alone in the defensive zone, and brings them along the wall, where he’s able to retrieve the puck often. In transition, Martineau keeps his game simple by making quick, simple passes, but when he has free space in front of him he won’t hesitate to rush the puck in the offensive zone.”

Round 4 – 57^th overall: F Morgan Barron

Barron was ranked 87^th by Central Scouting. The 1998-born forward has spent the past two seasons with the Newbridge Academy Gladiators, meaning he is familiar with the Green brothers. This past season, the 6’00”, 166 lbs Halifax native had 17 goals and 25 assists in 34 games to go along with 24 points in 16 playoff games.          

Round 6 – 100^th overall: D Pierre-Luc Lurette

The 6’02”, 183 lbs defenseman played in the MHL last season with the Campbellton Tigers, recording four goals and nine assists in 43 games. The 1998-born Lurette played AAA with the Miramichi Timberwolves the two seasons prior.

Round 6 – 107 overall: F Marc McLaughlin

The Sea Dogs sent a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in exchange for the 107^th and 119^th overall picks in this year’s draft.

With the 107^th pick, Saint John selected Marc McLaughlin, the top ranked American forward available in this year’s draft according to HockeyProspect.com. The 5’10”, 177 lbs forward played at Cushing Academy lasy season.

Proud to have been drafted by @SJSeaDogs in the @QMJHL draft

— Marc Mclaughlin (@mmclaughlin_26) June 6, 2015

“He is an emerging prospect who is committed to SLU and is staritng to bud a little more each season,” they write. “He plays strong on the puck and uses his body effectively. His best asset is probably his quick release shot.”

The 1999-born McLaughlin committed to St. Lawrence in February.

“He's not overly fast, but he's a strong skater with a presence on the ice,” writes Jeff Cox of SB Nation. “He's a good two-way player who will be a very good player in the future for the Saints. He's got all the physical tools, he sees the ice well and makes some very heady passes if not of the highlight reel variety.”

Round 7 – 119^th overall: F Ben Reid

The Sea Dogs made a local pick in the seventh round, taking Saint John Vito's forward Ben Reid. The 5’9”, 156 lbs forward had 13 goals and 16 assists in 35 NB/PEI Major Midget Hockey League games this past season. He added one goal in five playoff games. He is 1999-born.

Congrats to @ben_reid64 on being drafted by the @SJSeaDogs. Enjoy your moment and back to work tomorrow! #homegrown

— Kenneth Dobson (@coachkdobson) June 6, 2015

Round 8 – 143^rd overall – F Kallum Muirhead

Saint John made another trade with the Armada in round eight, sending a 2016 sixth round pick to Blainville-Boisbriand for the 143^rd overall pick. The Dogs used the selection to pick Charlottetown forward Kallum Muirhead. In 31 NB/PEIMMHL games last year, the 6’03”, 188 lbs Islander had three goals and 10 assists. He also had two goals and an assist in six games with Team PEI at the Canada Games.

Round 9 – 154^th overall: D Ben Mirageas

Ranked third overall amongst American players by HockeyProspect.com, Mirageas had one goal and six assists in 24 games at the Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut this past season. The Newburyport, Mass. native is listed at 5’10”, 155 lbs. Mirageas was also a second round pick in the USHL draft this year.

The recruiting website Over the Boards had Mirageas ranked as the 19^th uncommitted player last October.

“Mirageas is a purposeful, mobile, quick defenseman who shines in all three zones,” the website writes. “He’s assertive and sound defensively, but he can pass the puck nearly any distance up the ice and find his mark pretty well, as well as man the point with the best of them right now.”

Round 9 – 159^th overall: D Ian Smallwood

Smallwood, a St. John’s native, had four goals and 11 assists in 36 games with Notre Dame this season. The 5’11”, 165 lbs d-man also had one goal and two assists in six games with Team Newfoundland at the Canada Games. The Scouting News has some info on him.

Round 10 – 172nd overall: F Thomas Morin

6’2” and 217 lbs. Played Espoir with Beauce-Appalaches last season.

Round 11 – 187^th overall: D Jonathan Mason

A Cole Harbour native, Mason had 12 assists in 33 games with the Newbridge Academy Gladiators last season and added another five helpers in 16 playoff games. He is listed at 6’00”, 172 lbs and is 1998 born. This past season was his first year of major midget.

Round 11 – 190^th overall: F Alexandre Lafreniere

1999-born, 5’09” and 170 lbs. Played Espoir with Outaouais last year.

Round 12 - 208th overall: D Matthew O’Leary

The Sea Dogs took another Newfoundlander in the 12^th round, selecting Matthew O’Leary. The 6’01”, 157 lbs d-man had one goal and four assists in 29 games with the St. John’s Privateers last year. He also had three assists with Team Newfoundland at the Canada Games.

Round 12 - 212th overall: G William Hardy-Murray

Saint John drafted their second goaltender with the 212^th pick, taking Hardy-Murray. The 6’01, 219 lbs netminder spent last season with the Quebec Cyclones of the Espoir ranks.

Round 13 - 226th overall: F Samuel LeBlanc

LeBlanc, a Dieppe native, spent last season playing at Rothesay Netherwood. He is certainly the smallest player drafted by Saint John this year, listed at 5’07” and 136 lbs. He played with Team New Brunswick at the Canada Games this year, scoring two goals in seven games.

Round 14 - 244th overall: F William Aubry
With their final pick of the draft, Saint John selected another player from the Espoir ranks, taking William Aubry from Charles-Lemoyne. He is listed at 5’09”, 147 lbs.

Photo via Facebook