Notebook: Labbé commits to BCHL

Quebec AAA League Twitter

According to the BCHL website, Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Kyan Labbé has committed to the Nanaimo Clippers.

Labbé previously committed to the NCAA's Union College for the 2026-27 season, so the move to the BCHL does not come as a huge surprise. BCHL players remain eligible to play college hockey.

The 16-year-old goaltender was a fourth-round pick of Saint John in last year's QMJHL Entry Draft.

Labbé is coming off an impressive second season with the Magog Cantonniers, helping the team capture both the Quebec under-18 title and the Telus Cup national championship.

The BCHL website also shows that 17-year-old defenseman Anthony Biakabutuka, a 10th-round pick of Saint John in 2022, has committed to the Clippers. Biakabutuka is committed to the NCAA's College of the Holy Cross.

ANSONS, LATVIA DONE

The IIHF World Championship has come to an end for former Sea Dogs forward Raivis Ansons and Team Latvia.

Latvia failed to qualify for the elimination round following a 4-3 record in the preliminary round, placing them fifth in Group B. Three of the team's wins came in extra time.

Ansons, who split this past season between the AHL and ECHL, had an assist in five worlds games. He saw less ice time as the tournament went on, playing just 5:20 in the team's 6-3 loss to the United States on Tuesday.

This was Ansons first trip to the World Championship. He's played previously for Latvia at the under-20 and under-18 levels.

HOME TEAM

The Saginaw Spirit will look to join the 2017 Windsor Spitfires and the 2022 Sea Dogs as recent host teams to win the Memorial Cup. None of the three reached their respective league finals, either.

Home ice has been an advantage recently at the #MemorialCup 👀 #CHLStats pic.twitter.com/RuxAHmv1kV

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 19, 2024

Host teams have seemingly figured out how to use the time off to their advantage – but this might not be as much of a factor this year with all three league champions having over a week off to prepare for the tournament.

NEW TEAM

Here's another Memorial Cup fun fact involving the Sea Dogs.

It’s been 13 years since we’ve seen a first time #MemorialCup participant lift the trophy! #CHLStats pic.twitter.com/WvkYtOCcEd

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 22, 2024

OTHER THINGS

• Unsurprisingly, Saint John's playoff attendance was bad, finishing seventh last in the entire CHL.

  Another season of #CHL playoffs in the books and the final attendance report is here. London leads the way in average with Saskatoon very close behind. Cape Breton had the highest increase from the regular season.#QMJHL #OHL #WHL pic.twitter.com/UwHLd9px7v

  — David McKnight (@mcknight_david) May 21, 2024

• The Maritime Hockey League Draft will be held June 15 at 10 a.m.
• Riverview native Dyllan Gill of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies has signed an entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Gill was a seventh-round pick of the Lightning in the 2022 NHL Draft.
• Former Rimouski Oceanic captain Alexis Loiseau has been named the new head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques.
• The Halifax Mooseheads are still without a head coach.