Morin officially signs with Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It's official: Zachary Morin is a Saint John Sea Dog.

The Sea Dogs officially announced the signing of the 17-year-old forward on Thursday evening. Speculation surrounding Morin's future began last week when he returned home to Quebec, leaving the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms. Behind the scenes, there was never much doubt that Morin would join the Sea Dogs after he left the Phantoms – but securing his release from the USHL club held up the process until now.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” said Morin in a Sea Dogs news release. “They have a tradition of winning and have had so many great players develop there. Thank you to the Sea Dogs organization, Trevor and Travis, for having such a strong interest in me and my future. I want to be an important part of the team and help them achieve their goals, and continue to develop as a player and person."

Morin recorded eight goals and 11 assists in 54 games with Youngstown last season. He posted an assist in four games this season before leaving the club.

Morin is/was committed to Boston University for 2026 and, given what is going on with the NCAA right now, could remain a commit. The Sea Dogs' news release made no mention of the commitment while the QMJHL's release simply stated that Morin chose the USHL route "because he was interested in joining Boston University afterwards."

Prospect writer Robert Chalmers notes that Morin has deleted his BU commitment from Instagram.

“We’re delighted that Zachary chose our league," said QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini. "The QMJHL is an optimal path for hockey development, and also a combination of studies and sport that has nothing to envy other leagues. We wish him every success in the QMJHL.”

The Sea Dogs selected Morin in the eighth-round of this year's QMJHL Entry Draft. He was considered a long shot to report – and the team no doubt would have secured his rights earlier in the draft if they believed the odds were good. Morin was a first-round pick of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft but his rights were relinquished, putting him into the 2024 draft pool.

The signing gives the Sea Dogs some much needed offensive depth. The team's release said he is expected to make his debut this weekend.

Saint John hosts the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Friday and Victoriaville Tigres on Saturday.