Blagden back with Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SYDNEY, NS - Nick Blagden is back with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs announced Saturday that they've signed the 20-year-old forward. Blagden, acquired at last year's holiday trade deadline from the Moncton Wildcats, helped Saint John win the Memorial Cup in June.

From the team's release:

This addition gives the Sea Dogs four overage players on their roster as Blagden joins Brady Burns, Nikolas Hurtubise, and captain Charlie DesRoches.

“We are excited to have Nick back with the team,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager, Trevor Georgie. “He brings a lot of presence, character, and physicality to our lineup. The 20-year old rule is such a challenging one, but we have run into a number of injuries and the silver lining is that we have the opportunity to welcome Nick back.”

Sea Dogs leading scorer Brady Burns and goaltender Nikolas Hurtubise are not expected to play this weekend due to injuries.

Blagden is listed on Saint John's fourth line for Saturday's 7 p.m. road game against the Cape Breton Eagles. The Sea Dogs are without veteran forwards Peter Reynolds, Cam MacDonald and Brady Burns due to injuries.

Saint John has struggled to dress three overage players this year. Hurtubise has been hurt most of the season while Marshall Lessard was also hurt most of the year before being traded to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

Blagden, known as a gritty and physical third/fourth line type of player, had a goal, an assist and 25 penalty minutes in 20 games with the Sea Dogs last season. He appeared in one playoff game.

A Saint John area native, Blagden essentially announced his retirement from high level hockey in August, deciding to focus on his mental health advocacy work. He has appeared in one game with the Southern Senior Hockey League's River Valley Rock this year, recording a goal and an assist.

The Sea Dogs visit the Eagles on Saturday night and Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday afternoon.