Three former Saint John Sea Dogs recently locked in homes for the 2025-26 season.
The most recent signing was Joe Veleno, who inked a one-year, one-way deal with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Veleno was previously seen at the club's practice facility, so the signing didn't come as a huge surprise.
Veleno played 74 games with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks in 2024-25, scoring eight goals and adding nine assists. The Montreal native was traded to the Blackhawks at the NHL Trade Deadline and recorded seven points (3G, 4A) in 18 games with Chicago to conclude his fifth NHL campaign.Veleno has appeared in 306 NHL games since making his debut in 2020-21, tallying 38 goals and 43 assists in addition to serving 98 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 201-pound forward set career highs for goals (12), assists (16) and points (28) in 2023-24.
The Blackhawks traded Veleno to the Seattle Kraken on June 21. He was later placed on waivers for the purpose of a buyout, making him a free agent.
The 25-year-old was a first-round pick of the Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Veleno, who was taken first overall by the Sea Dogs in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft after receiving exceptional player status, spent parts of three seasons in Saint John. He helped the club win the President's Cup in 2017.
Another member of that 2017 QMJHL championship squad was forward Cedric Pare, who has re-signed with the AHL's Toronto Marlies for the upcoming season.
In his first season with the Marlies, Pare registered 12 goals and 14 assists in 59 games. The 26-year-old has now appeared in 207 career AHL contests, posting 39 goals and 56 assists.
Pare spent parts of three seasons with the Sea Dogs.
Lastly, defenseman Matt Murphy has re-signed with the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets, the team announced Tuesday. In his second stint with Fort Wayne, Murphy registered 11 assists in 27 regular season games. He added a goal and five assists in 13 playoff games.
The 30-year-old also played with the Cincinnati Cyclones and Tahoe Knight Monsters last season.
“Matt Murphy is a solid player -- in-your-face style of player. He does not shy away from the physical part of the game,” said Komets general manager David Franke in a news release. “He is a great puck mover, solid defensively, and our top defenseman on the penalty kill."
The Fredericton native completed his junior career in Saint John, appearing in 37 regular season games and 17 playoff matches in 2015-16.
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