Sea Dogs claim Wagner; Forlin leaves

Moncton Wildcats

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League trade period might be over but the roster moves continue for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

On Thursday, the team announced that they've claimed 19-year-old forward Mitchell Wagner off waivers from the Moncton Wildcats. The Middle Sackville native has spent most of this season with the Maritime Hockey League's Miramichi Timberwolves but has appeared in six games with the Wildcats recently.

“Mitchell caught our eye a number of times when he recently played against us with the Wildcats," said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a news release. "When we saw he was available on waivers, we spent some time watching his games and felt he would be a solid addition to the depth of our team. He brings size, grit, and quality experience having won an MHL championship with Miramichi.”

Wagner was an eighth-round pick of the Charlottetown Islanders in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft. The games he's spent with the Wildcats this season are the only QMJHL matches he has played. He scored his first QMJHL goal against Saint John on Dec. 28.

In 22 games with Miramichi this season, Wagner has 12 goals and 12 assists.

Wagner is listed at 6'04" and 203 lbs, which makes him one of the bigger players on Saint John's roster.

18-year-old forward Parker Forlin, meanwhile, has left the team for personal reason. Forlin left the OJHL's Niagara Falls Canucks to join the Sea Dogs on Dec. 30.

Forlin appeared in three games with Saint John, recording one assist.

“When pursuing hockey dreams young men face many challenges such as living in a new city, integrating with a new team, living in a new home with a new family, attending a new school, and playing with people who speak different languages,” said Crickard. “Parker indicated a significant struggle with this adjustment as it was his first time living away from home.”

More roster additions could still be announced by the Sea Dogs in the coming days.