A few Sea Dogs alumni updates

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Jonathan Lemieux is turning pro.

It was announced Tuesday that the former Saint John Sea Dogs goaltender has signed a one-year deal with the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks. Lemieux is represented by former QMJHL goaltender Nick Riopel's sports agency.

Really happy to announce that I have signed my first professional contract with the @abbycanucks ! pic.twitter.com/WoQo8BaRU9

— Jonathan Lemieux (@JoLemieux35) August 8, 2023

The 22-year-old spent last season with the Concordia University Stingers where he posted very strong numbers, finishing with a 16-4 record in the regular season to go along with a 1.98 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.

From the Canucks:

Lemieux, 22, is signing his first professional contract out of Concordia University (OUA), where he led the league’s goaltenders in goals-against average (1.98) and lead rookie goaltenders in wins (16) during the 2022-23 USports regular season. The 6’1, 185-pound netminder recorded three shutouts and a .933 save percentage for the Stingers this past season and posted a 4-2-0 record with two shutouts during the 2023 OUA Playoffs. A native of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Lemieux played five major junior seasons in the QMJHL with Val-d’Or, Saint John and Moncton, earning QMJHL Second Team All-Star honours in 2020-21.

Lemieux spent the first half of the 2021-22 season in Saint John before being dealt to the Moncton Wildcats in the Philippe Daoust deal.

Of note, former Sea Dogs goaltender Nikolas Hurtubise — who took over as Saint John's No. 1 netminder following the 2022 trade deadline — is heading to Concordia this fall.

A few other alumni happenings...

• Speaking of Concordia, former Sea Dogs defenseman Marcus Tesink has signed with the Guildford Flames of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League. Tesink played three seasons at Concordia — and would have had a fourth if not for the OUA cancelling the 2020-21 season. “Marcus is not the offensive presence some of our other guys are at the back, but he skates really well and can handle the puck and situational play in all areas of the ice,” said Flames head coach Paul Dixon in a news release. “He plays the kind of game that will fit very well into the style we try to put on the ice.”
• Speaking of former Sea Dogs goaltenders, Maxim Joyal has officially been named the assistant general manager of the Gatineau Olympiques. Joyal ran the Olympiques' QMJHL Entry Draft in June. “I’m excited about the idea of working with Maxime," said general manager Serge Beausoleil in a news release. "I think he did a tremendous job in the last draft. He’s a great ally for the future of our organization. He knows the culture in Gatineau, and the expectations. It’s an excellent fit for us."
• Former Sea Dogs defenseman Jordan Spadafore has signed with the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets. The 22-year-old has spent the past two seasons with the Nipissing University Lakers of the OUA. Spadafore spent parts of two seasons with the Sea Dogs and played with the MHL's Miramichi Timberwolves during the 2020-21 COVID season.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Olivier Picard, meanwhile, has signed a tryout agreement with the Komets. The 21-year-old spent last season with the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies.