MacDonald latest to leave NCAA commitment

The 2019 QMJHL Entry Draft keeps looking better and better for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs took some significant risks on draft day last year, but those risks are now bringing some big rewards.

With today's news that Cameron MacDonald has signed with the club, Saint John has not gotten their top four picks in the 2019 draft - Joshua Roy (first overall), Peter Reynolds (21st overall), Charles Savoie (34th) and MacDonald (51st overall) - to join the team.

On top of that, Robert Orr, a fifth round pick by the Dogs last year, was flipped to the Halifax Mooseheads on Wednesday for a second and fourth round selection in this year's draft.

That's a decent crop of players to say the least - especially considering that for some time it appeared as though Roy would be the only regular to commit to the team. Saint John now has a strong core group of 2003-born players, which could extend their competitive window into 2023.

The MacDonald announcement got plenty of attention for a couple reasons. For one, Saint John continues to stockpile high end, NHL potential players. And two, Saint John continues to stockpile previously committed NCAA players.

Excited to sign with a great Organization, can’t wait to get started! @sjseadogs pic.twitter.com/jEahuBVVMc

— Cam Macdonald (@cammacdonald61) June 4, 2020

As the Sea Dogs news release notes, MacDonald (Boston College) joins Peter Reynolds (Boston College), Charlie DesRoches (Northeastern), Josh Lawrence (Boston University), Matt Gould (Providence College), Dawson Stairs (uncommitted) and Kale McCallum (uncommitted) to jump ship and choose the junior hockey route over the past two years. That is a significant amount - especially considering, as we've brought up many times, that the Sea Dogs did not have too many success stories in this department in the first 10-12 years of the franchise.

MacDonald told John Moore that the major factor in his decision was the quality of team Saint John is expected to have in the coming years.



MacDonald recorded 20 points in 44 games with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede last season. The only other Canadian born player on Sioux Falls' roster? Riverview native Evan Nause, who is expected to be selected in this weekend's QMJHL Entry Draft.

According to Shawinigan reporter Steve Turcotte, Nause recently turned down a NCAA offer and is being targeted by two Maritimes based teams.

Selon mes infos, Nause aurait refusé une bourse à Omaha il y a quelques semaines dans la NCAA. Il a ciblé 2 villes des Maritimes. Devrait de nouveau être choisi en première ronde demain. https://t.co/vKDJQNlJvs

— steve turcotte (@steveturcotte) June 4, 2020

Nause is a 17-year-old and was selected in the first round of last year's draft by the Val-d'Or Foreurs. The Foreurs have released his rights and received a compensation pick.

Saint John currently has the third and 15th overall picks in Friday night's first round. No matter who the Sea Dogs draft, the haters will likely come out - which has even caught the attention of William Villeneuve.

See a lot of people talking about us drafting/signing ncaa guys, but i don’t see people talking about Brady Burns having 27 goals at 17, looks like a pretty good 2nd round pick ? Just sayin

— William Villeneuve (@WilliamVillene9) June 4, 2020

There's nothing like draft weekend - especially if you're a Sea Dogs follower.