Sea Dogs reassign five more

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

FREDERICTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs announced some significant roster moves on Saturday morning.

Overage goaltenders Eric Young and Rhett Stoesser along with returning defenseman Matthew MacLean were among the reassignments. Five players were reassigned in total, bringing Saint John's camp roster down to 40 players.

Here's who was reassigned Saturday.

Defensemen 

Jesse Dunlap 

Matthew MacLean 

Louis Métivier 

Goaltenders 

Rhett Stoesser 

Eric Young

Young left the BCHL to join the Sea Dogs late last season following the departure of Charles-Edward Gravel. Stoesser, meanwhile, was a free agent camp invite from the WHL.

There are now four goaltenders remaining at Sea Dogs camp: Justin Robinson, Raphael Courchesne, Jase MacPherson and Sam Pitcher. Of the four, Robinson and Courchesne are the likeliest to make the team – but that's if no other moves are made.

The departures of Young and Stoesser also mean Saint John's third and final overage spot will likely go to Natan Éthier or Angelo Fullerton – again, assuming no other moves are made. It appears forward Chris Barlas and defenseman Alexis Daviault – both of whom come from the OHL and have signed with the club – have secured spots. 20-year-old forward Mitchell Wagner also remains on the camp roster, but has yet to play due to an injury.

MacLean, Dunlap and Métivier were all in tough to make the team given how crowded the backend is. MacLean, 19, has spent the past two seasons with the Sea Dogs and appeared in 46 games last year. Métivier was a free agent invite while Dunlap was a 2025 draft pick.

24 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goaltenders remain on Saint John's camp roster. An updated roster can be found here.

The QMJHL's summer trade deadline is Sunday.

The Sea Dogs continue pre-season play on Saturday night in Fredericton, facing the Newfoundland Regiment at 7 p.m.