Labour Day Monday reading

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Well, this is it.

The final weekend without QMJHL hockey until the Christmas break is behind us, which means the season really starts to get going now. Many teams have their regular season rosters in place and the pre-season resumes this Friday.

There are still a couple weeks of exhibition hockey before the regular season begins on Sept. 22 — but Labour Day signals the end of off-season breaks. Real hockey is very near.

Here's some quick reading to enjoy on this Labour Day Monday. 

• Former Sea Dogs forward Joe Veleno has signed a one-year, $825,000 deal with the Detroit Red Wings. The Hockey News asks what does a successful season look like for Veleno?
• Former Sea Dogs forward William Dufour will attend the NHLPA's Rookie Showcase on Tuesday.
• The Win Column looks at the possibility of Jonathan Huberdeau being the next captain of the Calgary Flames.
• YardBarker lists five reasons why William Villeneuve is a solid defensive prospect.
• TD Station has announced that they now accept Visa debit for online purchases, which has been a frequent ask in the comments section over the years.
• QMJHL referee Dominic Bedard called his final game last year, the league recently announced. Notably, Bedard was one of the officials in the 2011 Memorial Cup final that saw the Sea Dogs win their first national championship.
• Three referees and four linesmen have joined the league this season including Michael Hamilton, and OHL referee who has moved to Moncton.
• Craig Eagles shares his thoughts on what's in store for the Sea Dogs this coming season.
• Le Droit has a story on Gatineau Olympiques forward Francis Woods, who has stood out at Olympiques training camp. Woods, who split last season between the Val-d'Or Foreurs and the QJHL's Gatineau Flames, was a third-round pick of Saint John in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft but was later traded. Woods was named to Gatineau's season opening roster.
• The Cape Breton Eagles recently announced that forward Jacob Newcombe has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 
• The CHL and its three leagues are having some legal issues with their insurance providers, TSN reports.
• Former Lewiston Maineiacs goaltender Jonathan Bernier has announced his retirement. Bernier spent 14 seasons in the NHL.
• Former Val-d'Or Foreurs general manager Pascal Daoust has been named the general manager of New York's PWHL team.