Sea Dogs sign Lawrence

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs have landed a big fish.

Reports surfaced this afternoon that forward Josh Lawrence, a top prospect for this year's QMJHL Entry Draft, has signed with the Sea Dogs.

Lawrence, 16, had previously committed to Boston University. Wednesday's news ends a recent string of losses for the Sea Dogs when it comes to swinging players to take the major junior route over NCAA.

“We are thrilled to have Josh and his family join our Sea Dogs family,” Sea Dogs president and GM Trevor Georgie said in a release sent to Sportsnet. “He is a franchise centre. He is an elite offensive talent. He is a local rising star who has decided to commit to us, to his home province, and to the best developmental league in the world – the Canadian Hockey League.”

Unbelievable feeling signing with such a world class organization! @sjseadogs Can’t wait to get started #🌊🐶

A post shared by Josh Lawrence (@joshlawrence_11) on Jun 6, 2018 at 2:29pm PDT

Lawrence was a top prospect for this year's draft, ranked sixth by QMJHL Central Scouting and ninth by HockeyProspect.com. He slid to the Sea Dogs at 15th because of his NCAA intentions.

Last season, the Fredericton native recorded 27 goals and 56 assists in 49 games with the Selects Hockey Academy under-16 team in Connecticut.

Saint John's second round pick, Charlie DesRoches, has, meanwhile, decommitted from Northeastern University and will be joining the Sea Dogs next season. The 16-year-old defenceman from Wellington, PEI played at the same school as Lawrence last year.

“It was one I had to think about a lot, but in the end I think I made the right choice,” DesRoches told The Journal Pioneer.

“They had a great draft, and have had a lot of success the last few years. They know how to win, and I’m really excited.”

It's early, obviously, but Lawrence and DesRoches are part of what has to be considered one of the best drafts in Sea Dogs history. The team also landed two of the top defensive prospects available - William Villeneuve and Jeremie Poirier.