Sea Dogs announce first roster moves

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs have announced their first round of roster moves.

The following players have been cut from the team's training camp roster: forwards Robbie Burt (1999), Cade DeStefani (2001), Alex Fowke (2001), Zac Sirota (2000) and Daniel Surette (2001); defencemen Kale McCallum (2002) and Simon Trottier (2002); and goaltender Tuomas Bowland (2001).

According to the team, DeStefani, McCallum, Trottier and Bowland all left to maintain their NCAA eligibility. What's interesting is that the Dogs made no mention of talented forward Dawson Stairs (2002), who's believed to have NCAA intentions but is battling for one of the team's final - and coveted - 16-year-old spots.

The Sea Dogs have a plethora of high end 16-year-olds they would no doubt like to keep on their roster, but the league limit of four is hindering that idea. Teams have been granted permission in the past (including the Sea Dogs) to carry five, but six might be pushing it a bit too far.

Saint John selected five 2002 born players in the first two rounds of this year's draft: William Villeneuve, Jeremie Poirier, Josh Lawrence, Brady Burns and Charlie DesRoches.

The other cuts announced on Monday were long shots to make this year's team. Burt, as reported, was sent home of the first day of training camp after failing to meet off-season expectations.

The Sea Dogs also announced that defenceman Patrick Musico (2000) and forward Christopher Duchesne (2001) have signed as affiliate players. 2018 draft picks Alexandre O’Neill (2002) and Charles-Antoine Dumont (2002) have also gone home but are expected to be affiliate players this year.

Musico, a Sudbury native, will join the MHL's St. Stephen Aces for the upcoming season. The Sea Dogs will face the Moncton Wildcats in St. Stephen this coming Sunday.

Saint John returns to pre-season action tomorrow night in Bathurst. Game time is 7 p.m.