Poirier breaks team record

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Jeremie Poirier is now alone at the top.

Poirier netted his 16th goal of the season in the Saint John Sea Dogs' 5-4 shootout win in Chicoutimi on Friday night, setting a franchise record for goals in a single season by a defenseman.

The 17-year-old surpassed Alex Grant's long standing record of 15 goals, which was set way back in the 2007-08 season.

It's a bit surprising it took this long for Grant's record to fall considering the likes of Nathan Beaulieu, Thomas Chabot and other prominent offensive defensemen have developed through the Sea Dogs over the years.

Poirier is second in the league in defensemen goal scoring, sitting behind Victoriaville's Jerome Gravel who has 17. Poirier also sits second in defensemen points with 44.

While the offensive numbers are impressive, the knock on Poirier continues to be his defensive game, which will need to be a focus as he continues to develop. Currently projected to be a mid to late first round pick in June's NHL Draft, Poirier would likely be seeded higher if he was stronger defensively. Fortunately, he's only in his second season of major junior and has time to work on his all around game.

Meanwhile, Poirier's defensive partner, William Villeneuve, is nearing a team record. With 36 assists, Villeneuve is tied for third with Thomas Chabot for most assists in a season by a Sea Dogs defenseman. Nathan Beaulieu owns that record, registering 41 helpers in the 2011-12 season.

Beaulieu owns the Sea Dogs record for points in a season by a defenseman, recording 52 in 2011-12. Poirier and Villeneuve each have 44 points with 17 regular season games remaining.