Notebook: Dogs return to Bathurst Friday

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

After a couple heartbreaking home games, the Sea Dogs are back on the road on Friday, making their second trip of the young season to the KC Irving Regional Centre.

The Sea Dogs and Titan split their home-and-home on opening weekend with Saint John winning 6-4 in Bathurst before falling in a shootout the next night at TD Station.

Following Friday's 7 p.m. match in Bathurst, the Sea Dogs return home to host the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday at 7 p.m. It will be the first meeting of the year — regular season or pre-season — between the Sea Dogs and Wildcats.

The following week, Saint John heads to Quebec for the first time this year and will visit Blainville-Boisbriand (Oct. 12), Val-d'Or (Oct. 14) and Rouyn-Noranda (Oct. 15).

MACDONALD GETS NEW RING

Former Sea Dogs forward Cam MacDonald, who had his family home destroyed in the Halifax wildfires this summer, received a new Memorial Cup ring on Friday.

Earlier this year Cam MacDonald’s family home and belongings were lost in the wildfire in Nova Scotia, including his 2022 Memorial Cup championship ring.

Prior to tonight’s game, Sea Dogs owner Scott McCain presented Cam with a brand new ring, courtesy of Graduor. pic.twitter.com/OiCbWj8Y6H

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) September 30, 2023

THN SEASON PREVIEW MAG
A few former Sea Dogs could be found in the Future Watch sections of The Hockey News' annual NHL Yearbook — including in impressive ranking for William Dufour.

Jeremie Poirier - No. 7 Calgary Flames

Joshua Roy - No. 7 Montreal Canadiens

William Dufour - No. 1 New York Islanders

MURPHY SIGNS IN MANCHESTER

Former Sea Dogs defenseman Matt Murphy has signed with the Manchester Storm of the UK's EIHL.

The 28-year-old appeared in one game with Slovakia's HC Slovan Bratislava before signing with the Storm.

“I’m super excited to be here in Manchester," Murphy said in a release. "I have a couple good friends that have played here for a while and have told me nothing but incredible things about the city, fans, staff and everything in between. I really look forward to contributing and helping the team every single night. Can’t wait to get started.“

The Fredericton native has bounced around the AHL and ECHL since turning pro in 2020. He spent four seasons with the UNB Reds after completing his junior career in the QMJHL.

Murphy spent the second half of the 2015-16 season with the Sea Dogs, recording eight goals and 21 assists in 37 games.

MORE ALUMNI UPDATES

• Former Sea Dogs assistant equipment manager Bradey Williston has joined the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays as their equipment manager.
• The Calgary Sun has a story on former Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier, who scored in his pre-season debut with the Calgary Flames on Friday. Poirier had knee surgery during the off-season.
• Josh Lawrence now has five goals and five assists in five games with the Swiss League's EHC Winterthur.
• Former Sea Dogs (so far) on their way to AHL training camps: Vincent Sevigny (Bridgeport Islanders), Joshua Roy (Laval Rocket), Zachary Emond (Laval Rocket), Philippe Daoust (Belleville Senators), Spencer Smallman (Colorado Eagles), Cedric Pare (Colorado Eagles), Maxim Cajkovic (Iowa Wild) and Jonathan Lemieux (Abbotsford Canucks). Raivis Ansons, who was unable to take part in Pittsburgh Penguins rookie camps, has been skating with the injured players in Pittsburgh. 
• Hockey Canada released an updated policy on non-sanctioned leagues — which is in reference to the BCHL going off on its own. Two former Sea Dogs are playing in the BCHL at the moment: Nathan Casey (Victoria Grizzlies) and Alexis Cournoyer (Prince George Spruce Kings).
• Tomas Jurco is playing with HC Davos of Switzerland's National League, meaning you'll see him at the Spengler Cup this December.

OTHER THINGS

• The Sea Dogs are 1-1-1-1 through their first four games of the season. They 0-1-1-1 at home.
• Peter Reynolds leads Saint John in scoring with six points (two goals and four assists) while Eriks Mateiko is second with five (three goals and two assists).
• It looks like the Shawinigan Cataractes will submit a bid to host the 2025 Memorial Cup. Shawinigan, of course, hosted the memorable 2012 tournament. Shawinigan, Rimouski and Moncton (sort of, at least) have expressed interest in the event, which is expected to be awarded before the calendar turns to 2024.
• Trent Mann, the father of Sea Dogs defenseman Matteo Mann, has been named player development and scouting advisor for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• There are a couple NHL pre-season games in the Maritimes over the next couple days. On Sunday the Ottawa Senators take on the Florida Panthers in Sydney as part of Kraft Hockeyville. On Monday, the Sens travel to Halifax where they'll take on the Pittsburgh Penguins.