Former Sea Dogs on the move

Dawson Stairs is heading to Dalhousie University.

It was announced Thursday that the former Saint John Sea Dogs forward has committed to the Dalhousie Tigers of Atlantic University Sport for the 2023-24 season. He'll study commerce while playing for the men's hockey team.

“I am very excited to join the Tigers,” said Stairs in a news release. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about both the school and the hockey program from current and former players. The coaches and players were very supportive during the recruiting process, which I value. From there, I knew Dalhousie was the school I wanted to attend and continue my hockey career. I am excited to put on the black and gold and play in front of the Dalhousie fans.”

Stairs was a seventh-round pick of Saint John in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft and played parts of three seasons with the Sea Dogs. He also played with the Cape Breton Eagles and Charlottetown Islanders during his QMJHL career, which saw him record 106 points in 176 games.

The Fredericton native spent his overage season in the Maritime Hockey League with the Campbellton Tigers.

The Tigers have struggled to be competitive over the past decade in the heavyweight AUS but seem to be doing a better job at recruiting in recent years. Former Sea Dogs forward Matt Green led the Tigers in scoring last season.

Dalhousie begins the regular season on Oct. 6 at Saint Mary's.

A few other Sea Dogs alumni news items...

• Players who received qualifying offers from ECHL clubs: Oliver Cooper (Fort Wayne), Nicolas Guay (Trois-Rivieres), Cedric Pare (Wheeling) and Kelly Bent (Wichita). 
• Goaltender Callum Booth is heading overseas, signing with the Cardiff Devils of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League. Booth played in the AHL, ECHL and the German DEL last season. A Carolina Hurricanes draft pick in 2015, Booth helped the Sea Dogs win the President Cup in 2017.
• After spending last season with SC Bern, forward Chris DiDomenico has signed a two-year-deal with HC Fribourg-Gottéron. DiDomenico spent the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons with Fribourg-Gottéron. This will be the sixth straight season that the 34-year-old has played in Switzerland's National League.
• Goaltender Noah Patenaude is also heading to the National League, signing a two-year deal with HC Ajoie. Patenaude, a dual Canadian and Swiss citizen, played in 14 games with the HCB Ticino Rockets last season, who are part of the the tier-two Swiss League.