Sea Dogs left off Swiss WJC roster

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Noah Patenaude and Vincent Despont were both left off Switzerland's submitted roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Both Saint John Sea Dogs players will miss the tournament due to injuries. From Swiss Hockey News:

In net, Lucas Rötheli (concussion, did not participate in the preparation) and Noah Patenaude (slightly banged up) will not be part of the roster. On defense, Giancarlo Chanton tested positive for Covid while still in Switzerland and had to stay home. Vincent Despont suffered an injury.

On offense, Raymond Fust did not make the cut as he is slightly bruised. The one player having tested positive for Covid-19 while in Canada, Simon Knak, got a second positive result. He has to isolate and will thus not be part of the team for the tournament.

Patenaude left for the Swiss camp having not played since Dec. 4 due to an injury. The 19-year-old was part of last year's Swiss team.

Despont, who would have been taking part in his first world junior tournament, was injured in camp.

Switzerland did not play any pre-tournament games due to COVID.  The team's first preliminary round game is Monday against Russia.

With Patenaude and Despont both missing the tournament, there are no current Sea Dogs taking part in the event. Fyodor Svechkov, a first-round pick of Saint John in the 2020 CHL Import Draft, is playing for Russia.

The Sea Dogs are on pause until at least Jan. 7 - and that might be a good thing for the team's blue line. Despont, Charlie DesRoches and William Villeneuve are all currently nursing injuries.