Saint John Sea Dogs training camp really kicks off Sunday at TD Station with the first scrimmages taking place. As discussed previously, this is probably one of the most intriguing camps in the team's history given where they are at in the rebuild cycle and the NCAA rule change factor.
Up front, there are quite a few spots presumably already locked in. There are definitely a few spots still up for grabs though, which will create for an interesting pre-season. Saint John has some very skilled forwards both returning and making their debuts – but it's a group that is still a bit young. I'm keeping an eye on a few things up front:
- Of the young forwards, who is ready to take a big step this season and really make an impact?
- Who will grab the spots near the bottom of the forward group typically reserved for the grinder and defensive types?
- Can Saint John find the right mix of forwards to really get the offense clicking?
The backend is fascinating because we could see a nearly complete overhaul. There are going to be a few tough calls here, which will make for a competitive camp. While the 48 hour NCAA rule is gone, you have to wonder if there may be some guys who choose to leave simply because they're not going to get the ice time they want. Could we see some trades? This will be interesting to watch.
The goaltending spots seem to be wide open, and it feels like there is a chance anyone could step up and win a job. While many of these goaltenders have interesting resumes, only a few have CHL experience. Saint John's No. 1 goaltender might be in this group, but you also have to assume the team is keeping an eye out for potential options elsewhere as well.
Here are a few additional notes on Saint John's camp roster.
- These numbers may be a bit off now given that they were presumably taken before the off-season:
- Tallest players on the camp roster: Mitchell Wagner (6'5") and Niko Baljak (6'5").
- Shortest players on the camp roster: Egan Beveridge, Nolann Héroux, Carter McIllwraith and John Lumsden are all listed at 5'8".
- Heaviest player on the camp roster: Bryce Cunningham (210 lbs).
- Lightest player on the camp roster: Nolann Héroux (144 lbs).
- Saint John will have seven overage players competing for three spots:
- F Christopher Barlas - Ontario native recently signed with Saint John after spending his entire junior career in the OHL.
- F Mitchell Wagner - appeared in 21 games with Saint John last season along with six with the Moncton Wildcats and 22 games in the MHL.
- F Natan Éthier - on loan from the Shawinigan Cataractes. Appeared in just five games last season after suffering an upper body injury that required surgery.
- F Ben Cross - posted 11 goals and 13 assists in 60 games with Saint John last season.
- F Angelo Fullerton - on loan from the Cape Breton Eagles, the Quispamsis native registered six goals and 10 assists in 46 games last season.
- G Rhett Stoesser - the Alberta native has spent the last three seasons in the WHL, most recently playing with the Kelowna Rockets.
- G Eric Young - the BC native joined the Sea Dogs in the second half of last season, leaving the BCHL. He played 15 games with Saint John.
- Natan Éthier (Shawinigan) and Angelo Fullerton (Cape Breton) are the only players on loan from other QMJHL teams.
- Here's a look at all the players classified as free agents. All have been written about previously. Click on a player's name for additional info.
- F Niko Baljak
- F Brayden Campbell
- F Bryce Cunningham
- F Max Donatelli
- F Josh Frenette
- F Alexis Gauthier
- F Tristan Gravenor
- F Ryan Hodkinson
- F Carter McIllwraith
- F Kaidan Sahajpal
- F Dax Vader
- D Vincent Croteau
- D Louis Métivier
- D Kabir Shahi
- D Ethan Tatomir
- G Anthony Alessi
- G Vladislav Bryzgalov
- G Rhett Stoesser
- Not included in the above list is forward Alexander Donovan, a free agent who has already signed with the club.
- Luc-Alexandre Sedawey, an 18-year-old from Quebec who played US prep school hockey last season, was originally part of Saint John's free agent additions but will not attend training camp due to injury.
- Also note that forward Bryce Cunningham was technically the first player to receive an invitation to Sea Dogs training camp after being named the MVP of the inaugural Dog Bowl back in February, helping Sussex High School win the tournament.
- Players who are on Saint John's online pre-season roster but are not attending training camp:
- F Benjamin Beaudry - spent most of last season in the QJHL. Played nine games with Saint John in 2023-24.
- F Parker Forlin - played three games with Saint John last season before returning to the OJHL.
- F Jamie Glance - American spent last season with the USNTDP and is slated to play with them again this year. Committed to Boston University for the 2027-28 season.
- F Jonah Leard - spent the majority of last season in the MHL but did appear in four games with Saint John.
- F JJ Monteiro - American spent last season in the USHL and was committed to Province College for this year, but it appears that has now shifted to begin in 2026-27.
- D Nicolas Bilodeau - 20-year-old spent the last three seasons with Saint John but has committed to play at the University of Ottawa this season.
- D Julien Bonnet - appeared in 27 games with Saint John last season along with 11 matches in the QJHL.
- D Will Felicio - American spent last season at the University of Michigan and has transferred to Union College.
- D Jeremy Poirier - American played US prep school hockey at Holderness School last year along with some matches in the NAHL.
- D Cruz Scanzano - appeared in 13 games with Saint John last season before moving to the BCHL. He recently had his BCHL rights traded to the Blackfalds Bulldogs.
- G Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz - spent most of last season playing US prep school hockey and is committed to Quinnipiac University for the 2026-27 season.
- Saint John will play four pre-season games this week:
- Tuesday at Moncton (Avenir Centre)
- Wednesday vs Moncton (Garcelon Civic Center)
- Friday at Moncton (Aitken Centre)
- Saturday at Newfoundland (Willie O'Ree Place)
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