Poirier, Villeneuve selected in NHL Draft

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Two Saint John Sea Dogs defensemen were selected in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Jeremie Poirier was selected in the third-round, 72nd overall by the Calgary Flames while William Villeneuve was taken in the fourth-round, 122nd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Poirier, who was ranked as a late first- or early second-round pick by most draft publications, slid to the third-round. He's known as perhaps the most skilled defensemen in this year's draft class - but his slide was mostly due to his defensive play, something the Flames will no doubt want the 18-year-old to work on.

"I'm really happy the Flames gave me the opportunity to go out there and prove myself ... it's a dream come true."#Flames third round pick Jeremie Poirier checks in after being selected 72nd overall! pic.twitter.com/zihffbs1Qz

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 7, 2020

Poirier, who was selected by the Sea Dogs with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft, became the first Saint John player to be selected by the Flames. Poirier is coached by former Flames bench boss Greg Gilbert and former player Jeff Cowan.

Villeneuve landed right around where he was expected to go. He becomes the second Sea Dog to ever be selected by the Maple Leafs, joining Chris DiDomenico in 2007.

Welcome to the squad, William 👊#LeafsForever #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/v1OPA0Kdp8

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 7, 2020

Villeneuve, who led all QMJHL defensemen in scoring last season, was taken second overall by Saint John in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Both Poirier and Villeneuve watched the virtual (and very lengthy) draft from Saint John due to travel restrictions.

Leafs draft pick William Villeneuve (122nd overall) said it's been a bit sad today because he's separated from his family due to COVID-19 and can't celebrate being picked with them.

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) October 7, 2020

Defenseman Charlie DesRoches and forward Brady Burns were the other two Sea Dogs ranked by NHL Central Scouting, but neither were picked. Under normal circumstances, both could have earned invites to an NHL rookie camp.

The Sea Dogs have had at least one player picked in every NHL Draft since 2014.

19 QMJHL players were taken in this year's NHL Draft - including five in Tuesday's first round.