Scanzano no longer with Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Rookie defenseman Cruz Scanzano is no longer on the Saint John Sea Dogs' active roster, the team announced late Sunday.

Scanzano "left the team to pursue other opportunities," the Sea Dogs posted on social media. It's expected he'll play the remainder of the season in the BCHL.

ROSTER UPDATE 🔁

Defenceman Cruz Scanzano has left the team to pursue other opportunities.#GoDogsGo pic.twitter.com/MEtygCjzwz

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) December 30, 2024

Scanzano was a second-round pick of Saint John in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft. He spent last season with the Lac St-Louis Lions where he was teammates with Dylan Rozzi and William Yared.

The Montreal native has appeared in just 13 games with the Sea Dogs, registering two assists. Foot speed – he's listed at 6'02" and 210 lbs – and discipline were issues as the big defenseman was listed as a healthy scratch for long stretches. The argument could have certainly been made that he needed more seasoning before making the jump to the QMJHL.

Scanzano appeared in five games with team in December (including Saturday's in Moncton) as injuries on the backend piled up. He showed signs of improvement and took just one minor penalty during that stretch.

The Sea Dogs have dropped two defensemen over the past couple weeks. Along with the Scanzano move, Giuliano Caputo was reassigned to the QJHL.

Saint John was without regular defensemen Matthew MacLean and Olivier Duhamel on Saturday due to injuries. Affiliates Julien Bonnet and Joshua Henry both slid into the lineup.

The QMJHL's holiday trade period ends Monday, Jan. 6.

The Sea Dogs are back in action on Tuesday when they visit the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at 2 p.m.