Notebook: Thomas back with Sea Dogs

CHL

Former Saint John Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas is back with the organization.

The team announced Monday that Thomas, who captained the Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup championship in 2011, has been named Saint John's "Player Mentor."

According to a Sea Dogs news release, "Thomas will work closely with the team’s leadership group, providing mentorship, guidance, and support throughout the season. He will also serve as a resource for players, helping foster a strong team-first culture while supporting the continued development of the club’s leadership core."

Thomas is the first person to have this title with the Sea Dogs.

“We’re excited to welcome Mike back to the team in an official capacity,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie. “Since Mike finished his playing career with the Sea Dogs, he has always stayed engaged with the team and taken a keen interest in the development of our players. Mike’s championship pedigree, leadership, and teaching background make him a valuable resource for our team.”

OFFICIATING CHANGES

Ghislain Hébert has been named the QMJHL's Director of Officiating, the league announced this week.

From the league's news release:

Hébert officiated in the NHL from 2009 to 2025, working 1,005 regular-season games over the course of his career. Last season, he officiated in Germany’s top professional league, the DEL.

Prior to joining the NHL in 2009, he spent one season in both the ECHL and the American Hockey League after a seven-year stint in the QMJHL, including four seasons as a linesman and three as a referee. 

Ghislain Hébert assumes his new responsibilities effective immediately and will report to QMJHL Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Éric Chouinard.

Hébert replaces Richard Trottier, who held the position for the past 16 seasons.

AMERICAN WATCH

A lot of people will be keeping an eye on how many Americans are selected in this weekend's QMJHL Entry Draft.

I’m not sure if we’ll see any US players selected in the first round of the upcoming QMJHL Draft, perhaps maybe one. However, I believe the second and third rounds will have a significant number of American players chosen, much more than last year.

— Robert Chalmers (@IvanIvanlvan) June 2, 2026

Teams across the league have been busy announcing the signings of American players in recent weeks. The success of the Moncton Wildcats this past season likely gave the trend an even bigger boost.

The Sea Dogs drafted three Americans in last year's QMJHL Entry Draft: defenseman Everett Baldwin in the second-round; forward Finnegan Sears in the sixth-round; and defenseman Oskar Drabczynski in the seventh-round.

Saint John selected four US players in 2024, which was before the NCAA rule change: Jamie Glance, Brian McFadden, Matas Janulis and Matthew Krayer. 

2028 MEMORIAL CUP TALK

Something to keep in mind this week as teams make moves.

Despite being 2 years away, the two finalists to host the 2028 Memorial Cup will be announced on July 6.

The Gatineau Olympiques have officially put their name forward. The Quebec Remparts and Moncton Wildcats are also interested.

— Jeremy Boucher (@Jeremy_Boucher) June 2, 2026

All three have hosted the tournament previously – but none have done so in their new buildings.

Another team that has, at the very least, publicly stated some hosting interest in the recent past: the Newfoundland Regiment.

The 2027 Memorial Cup, hosted by the OHL, will be held in Guelph.

HIGHMORE SIGNS WITH HAMMERS

Former Sea Dogs forward Matthew Highmore became the first player to sign with the Hamilton Hammers, the new AHL affiliate for the New York Islanders.

The 30-year-old signed a two-year AHL deal with the club, who will play out of the renovated TD Coliseum beginning this fall.

Highmore spent this past season with the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, posting 15 goals and 25 assists in 70 games.

Highmore has now appeared in 301 career AHL games, recording 76 goals and 130 assists. Along with the Islanders, he's played with the Rockford IceHogs, Springfield Thunderbirds and Belleville Senators.

Highmore spent five seasons with the Sea Dogs, helping the club win the President Cup in 2017.

COWAN TAKES OVER GRAND FALLS

Jeff Cowan has been named head coach of the Maritime Junior Hockey League's Grand Falls Rapids.

Cowan replaces former Sea Dogs assistant Greg Leland, who departed the Rapids to take the head coaching position of the Campbellton Tigers. Cowan has been an assistant with the Rapids for the past four seasons.

Cowan was a long-time assistant and associate coach with the Sea Dogs beginning in 2013-14. He was the club's interim head coach at the end of the 2019-20 season, going 18-17-0.

MILLER TRADED

Former Sea Dogs forward Coen Miller has been traded to the Amherst Ramblers.

According to the league, the trade from Grand Falls completes a previous deal with the Summerside Western Capitals.

Miller, who will be an overager this year, split this past season between the Capitals and Rapids, recording 28 goals and 39 assists in 42 games.

Miller spent parts of two seasons with the Sea Dogs.

OTHER THINGS

• Another trade period will open on Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Atlantic. There won't be another until Friday night's QMJHL Entry Draft.
• It's now been over 15 years since the Sea Dogs won their first Memorial Cup in 2011. If you remember it, you are old.
• Sea Dogs forward Olivers Murnieks was ranked 74th in Scott Wheeler's final NHL Draft rankings at The Athletic. Gavin McKenna remains No. 1.
• The Sea Dogs website takes a look back at the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft.
• Patrice Bosch has been named the new head coach of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
• Craig Button preaching.

  "Those who stay will become champions."#MemorialCup | @OHLRangers pic.twitter.com/aFpkwE8U4Y

  — Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 1, 2026

• Where will Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont, a top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft, play next season? It doesn't sound like it will be in the WHL.