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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Two Sea Dogs named to Team Canada

For the second time in team history, two members of the Saint John Sea Dogs have made Canada's World Junior Championship team.

Hockey Canada announced its 2017 world junior roster late last night. Among the final 22 were Sea Dogs defenceman Thomas Chabot and forward Mathieu Joseph.

Chabot, a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators and a member of last year's Team Canada, was a lock to make the team. There's certainly a chance he could be wearing a letter on his sweater when the tournament begins on Boxing Day in Toronto.

A lot of roster projections had Joseph missing the cut, but the forward has worked his way onto the roster. Joseph leaves the Sea Dogs for the next few weeks in a tie for first in QMJHL goal scoring with 25. While Joseph has been putting up great offensive numbers this season, he is a talented and responsible forward that can be used in all situations.

The Sea Dogs have had two players on one world junior team only once previously and that came in 2012 when Jonathan Huberdeau and Nathan Beaulieu both made the squad. Zack Phillips was also invited to camp that year but did not make the team.

Chabot and the Canadians will look to improve on their 6th-place finish from last year. The team begins tournament play on Dec. 26 against Russia.

Sea Dogs to play for Team Canada include Chris DiDomenico (2009 - Gold), Simon Despres (2011 - Silver), Nathan Beaulieu (2012 - Bronze), Huberdeau (2012 - Bronze, 2013 - 4th), Chabot (2016 - 6th, 2017 - TBD) and Joseph (2017 - TBD).

Meanwhile, Sea Dogs defenceman Jakub Zboril will likely make the Czech Republic world junior team. Former Sea Dogs forward Nikita Li received an invite to Russia's camp.

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