Sea Dogs make roster moves ahead of opener

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a number of roster moves on Thursday.

The team announced that defencemen Matthew O’Leary and Ian Smallwood along with forward Alexandre Lafreniere have all been recalled. Smallwood and Lafreniere have been with the MHL’s Woodstock Slammers while O’Leary has been with the St. Stephen Aces.

Smallwood, 17, played in 11 games with the Sea Dogs last season, recording one assist.

Lafreniere, 17, played in two games with Saint John last year and was held pointless.

O’Leary, 17, has not appeared in the QMJHL yet. The first overall pick in this year’s MHL Draft, the Newfoundlander played in four pre-season contests with Saint John.

Both Smallwood and Lafreniere spent last season with the Saint John Vito’s. O’Leary played with the St. John’s Privateers.

According to a Sea Dogs press release, all three “are expected to be available to play when the Sea Dogs open the 2016-17 season Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. against the Charlottetown Islanders at Eastlink Centre.”

The team also announced that defenceman Simon Elsliger has been reassigned. A fourth-round pick of the Sea Dogs in this year’s QMJHL Entry Draft, the 16-year-old spent last season with the Moncton Flyers.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation