Mateiko, Peddle returned to junior

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs' offense is about to get a major boost.

Forwards Eriks Mateiko and Tyler Peddle are both on their way back from NHL training camps. The return of the two should help a Sea Dogs offense that struggled to create quality scoring chances during last weekend's games.

Mateiko was reassigned by the Washington Capitals while Peddle returns from Columbus Blue Jackets camp. 

Both appeared in NHL pre-season games over the past couple days. Mateiko, a third-round pick of the Capitals in this year's NHL Draft, was a -2 with two shots and two penalty minutes in Washington's 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Peddle, a seventh-round pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft, appeared in the Blue Jackets' 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday where he was a -2 with two penalty minutes.

Mateiko, who will likely be a strong candidate to wear the 'C' for Saint John, is entering his third season with the Sea Dogs. The Latvian has 39 goals and 40 assists in 111 career QMJHL games and is poised to be one of the QMJHL's top import players this season.

The Sea Dogs acquired Peddle mid-season last year from the Drummondville Voltigeurs. The Antigonish native has never quite reached his full potential in the QMJHL but a strong showing with the Dogs in the second half (11 goals and seven assists in 28 games) is a positive sign heading into 2024-25.

Defenseman Matteo Mann is the only current Sea Dog that remains at an NHL training camp. The Flyers were expected to announce the first round of cuts Tuesday.

The Sea Dogs are back in action on Friday, visiting the Charlottetown Islanders.