Sea Dogs will pass on Import Draft

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

There won't be much suspense from the Saint John Sea Dogs during Wednesday's CHL Import Draft.

General manager Antony Stella announced Tuesday that the team will be passing on both of their selections and, in doing so, confirming that forwards Pavel Simek and Eriks Mateiko will both be returning for second seasons in Saint John.

“We’re happy to announce that both Pavel and Eriks will be returning next season to Saint John,” said Stella in a news release. “Considering the adjustment period that they had in year one in a new country, new league and a new brand of hockey, both players showed they can be impactful.” 

The Sea Dogs were scheduled to pick 11th and 71st overall. Passing on 11th overall isn't the most ideal situation, but the Import Draft is more about who you know than where you pick. Teams can often get the player(s) they want no matter where they select.

Both Simek and Mateiko proved to be valuable imports last season and should be significant pieces to the Sea Dogs lineup this year. Simek, taken 48th overall in last year's Import Draft, had 29 points in 61 QMJHL games while Mateiko, selected 108th, had 36 points in 62 games.

Mateiko recently captained Latvia at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship where he recorded a goal and an assist in five games.

“We expect them both to take a step forward this upcoming season on and off the ice and for them to continue to contribute to our team,” Stella said.

This is the first time the Sea Dogs have passed on a pick since 2019 and the first time they've passed on both since 2011. Only two other times in team history — 2008 and 2011 — has Saint John not made a selection at all.

The OHL's Erie Otters will pick first overall followed by the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan and WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. The draft, which begins at noon Atlantic, can be followed online.