FREDERICTON - An already crowded blue line got even more crowded on Friday.
Saint John is poised to have an almost entirely different defense core this season. Prior to this signing, the Sea Dogs still had 14 defensemen on their training camp roster. The addition of Daviault makes the battle for spots even more interesting.
Prior to their pre-season game at Fredericton's Aitken Centre, the Saint John Sea Dogs announced the signing of overage defenseman Alexis Daviault.
Daviault has spent the past four seasons in the OHL, most recently with the Erie Otters.
“We’re really excited about the changes made to our back end. The group is young but very exciting,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a statement. “That said, we identified a need to add someone who brings a lot of experience, and adding a 20-year-old defenceman of Alexis’ calibre will bring tremendous value to our team. He is a swift-skating, puck-moving defender who will be a strong complement to those we have locked up on our right side.”
Daviault, originally from Gatineau, was a third-round pick of the Sarnia Sting in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He spent a season-and-a-half with the Sting before being moved to the Otters.
In 259 career OHL games, Daviault recorded 22 goals and 94 assists. Last season, the 6'0", 185 lbs d-man recorded five goals and 31 assists in 64 games.
Saint John is poised to have an almost entirely different defense core this season. Prior to this signing, the Sea Dogs still had 14 defensemen on their training camp roster. The addition of Daviault makes the battle for spots even more interesting.
From an overage perspective, it certainly looks like Daviault and forward Chris Barlas – who also recently signed from the OHL – have spots secured. Other overagers still officially on Saint John's camp roster include forwards Natan Éthier, Angelo Fullerton and the injured Mitchell Wagner along with goaltenders Rhett Stoesser and Eric Young.
On the goaltending front, 18-year-old David Di Girolamo has been added to Saint John's online roster. He spent most of last season in the QJHL with the Laval Prime, posting a 12-7 record to go along with a 3.08 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. The 6'2", 176 lbs netminder also appeared in one QMJHL game with the Val-d'Or Foreurs.
It's worth noting as well that the QMJHL's trade deadline is this Sunday.
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