Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Notebook: Rozzi left off Youngstown roster

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
The Youngstown Phantoms released names and numbers for their pre-season roster on Tuesday – and Dylan Rozzi was not among the players listed.
Rozzi's plans for the 2024-25 season have been in question since the Tribune Chronicle reported in June that the 16-year-old forward attended "Phantoms camp this past week with an intent to play in Youngstown."

Rozzi was a fourth-round pick of the Phantoms in the 2024 USHL Futures Draft. His older brother, Jake Rozzi, played in Youngstown.

Rozzi was selected eighth overall by Saint John in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft. He attended the draft in Moncton and took the stage when his name was called.

A few weeks ago, Postmedia reported "there is a growing sense of optimism in the Port City regarding the potential (Rozzi) could skate at TD Station."

SINGLE GAME TICKETS
The Sea Dogs website has posted season ticket and single game ticket pricing for the 2024-25 season. Prices are nearly identical to last year's.
KUZNETSON RE-SIGNS
Former Sea Dogs defenseman Yan Kuznetsov has re-signed with the Calgary Flames.

Kuznetsov signed a one-year, two-way contract that would pay him $775,000 at the NHL level, according to a Flames news release.

The 22-year-old made his NHL debut this past season. He also posted five goals and eight assists in 63 AHL games with the Calgary Wranglers.

Kuznetsov spent part of the 2021-22 season with the Sea Dogs, recording two goals and 11 assists in 25 regular season games.

FRANCIS SIGNS
Former Sea Dogs forward Ryan Francis has signed with the ECHL's Adirondack Thunder.

The 22-year-old split last season with the AHL's Ontario Reign and ECHL's Greenville Swamp Rabbits. In 31 games with the Swamp Rabbits, Francis posted nine goals and 12 assists.

“Ryan Francis is a proven point producer at the ECHL level, and a depth player at the AHL level,” said Thunder head coach Pete MacArthur in a release. “He can make plays at top speed, is tenacious on the forecheck and is also willing to defend. We are excited about adding him into our top-six forward group.”

Francis spent parts of two season with the Sea Dogs, helping the team win the Memorial Cup in 2022.

HERE WE GO
This has been mentioned quite a few times in recent months, but if a CHL player were to take the NCAA to court saying they should be permitted to play college hockey, the court would very likely rule in the player's favour – and would open the door for all CHL players to play college hockey.

Well, here we go. It's hard to say how long this could play out, but the change to player eligibility rules continues to feel inevitable.
OTHER THINGS
  • One player who was listed on Youngstown's pre-season roster? 17-year-old forward Zachary Morin, who the Sea Dogs selected in the eighth round of this year's QMJHL Entry Draft. A Boston University commit, he's a long shot to report to Saint John.
  • SportsLogos.net examines the Sea Dogs' 20th anniversary logo. According to the site, "the anniversary logo was designed by Brian Gundell, a longtime friend of SportsLogos.net who has also worked on logos for the San Diego Padres, the Seattle Kraken, the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders and the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks."
  • Flames Nation ranks Yan Kuznetsov as the 20th best prospect in Calgary's system.
  • Leafs Nation ranks William Villeneuve as the 16th best prospect in Toronto's system.
  • Former Sea Dogs assistant coach Paul Boutilier has joined the Quebec Remparts as a defensemen development specialist. He'll also be working a similar role with the Moncton Wildcats this season, where he'll be a defensive consultant.
  • Forgot to mention this: former Sea Dogs head coach Gordie Dwyer was part of the Team Canada coaching staff that won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past weekend.

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