Notebook: Another pre-season adjustment

There's been another change to the Saint John Sea Dogs' pre-season schedule.

The team's "home game" originally scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23 at Fredericton's Aitken Centre has been moved to Saturday, Aug. 24, where the match will begin at 3 p.m.

The UNB Reds made the schedule change official on Wednesday.

Get ready REDS Nation, the @SJSeaDogs are coming to the Aitken Centre for pre-season action on Saturday, August 24.

⏰ 3:00 pm
🆚 @CBEHockey
🏟️ Aitken Centre

Don't miss the action—secure your tickets now!

🎟️ https://t.co/ZCoamnLfbY#goredsgo pic.twitter.com/sZicEhsnJ7

— UNB Reds (@UNBAthletics) July 24, 2024

It's the second adjustment to Saint John's pre-season schedule. The team's Sept. 14 game against the Charlottetown Islanders was originally set to take place at the Pownal Sports Centre but has since been moved to the Cavendish Farms Community Events Centre in Tyne Valley.

FEW WEEKS AWAY

It's hard to believe, but Saint John's training camp and pre-season is less than a month away.

The team begins pre-season play on Tuesday, Aug. 20 when they host the Charlottetown Islanders at St. Stephen's Garcelon Civic Centre. Saint John will play three exhibition games from Aug. 20 - 24 before breaking until Sept. 6.

Saint John will play six pre-season games in total.

The Sea Dogs begin regular season play on Sept. 20 at TD Station when they host the Moncton Wildcats.

WHAT'S UP WITH SEASON TICKETS?

Many have asked: where is the information on Sea Dogs season tickets?

According to the team, it's coming soon – likely around the New Brunswick Day long weekend. Prices are expected to remain the same as last year.

The Sea Dogs are likely the last team in the CHL to release season ticket information. The TD Station website doesn't even have any of the team's games listed yet.

Saint John's attendance figures have struggled to rebound from the pandemic. Last season, the club averaged 2,760 fans per game, placing them eighth in the QMJHL.

NEW JOB POSTING

The Sea Dogs are looking for a Vice President of Operations. The team issued the job posting Wednesday on LinkedIn.

"Have you ever dreamed of being a leader in the sports and entertainment sector," reads the job description. "Join the Saint John Sea Dogs Hockey Club as our Vice President of Operations, leading all aspects of our business operations as we embark on our 20th season and beyond. Reporting to the President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, you’ll play a pivotal strategic leadership role in driving our organizations success."

The full job posting can be found here.

A couple months ago, the Sea Dogs had postings for the following positions:

• Director of Business Operations
• Manager, Sales and Partnerships
• Manager, Season Tickets and Groups

OTHER THINGS

• On Sea Dogs draft pick Dylan Rozzi potentially heading to the USHL, Kevin Barrett of Postmedia reported Wednesday that "there is a growing sense of optimism in the Port City regarding the potential he could skate at TD Station."
• The new college hockey recruiting cycle opens Aug. 1. The Grand Forks Herald ranks Fredericton native Tynan Lawrence as the No. 6 prospect available. "Some scouts wonder if he could play in the NCAA a year early," writes Brad Elliott Schlossman.
• Speaking of NCAA hockey, College Hockey Inc. will be among the presenters at the upcoming Maritime Hockey Summit in Fredericton, which takes place Aug. 7-11.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Cole Reginato has re-signed with the Southern Professional Hockey League's Huntsville Havoc. It'll be the 26-year-old's fifth season in Alabama.

  Huntsville Havoc store selling Cole Reginato t-shirts.https://t.co/z4LT5JDnWd pic.twitter.com/fbtNySNZ1E

  — Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) July 25, 2024

• Former Sea Dogs forward Mike Hoffman remains a free agent. The 34-year-old had 23 points in 66 games with the last-place San Jose Sharks last year.