Sea Dogs acquire Charbonneau, Howard; draft Williams

HALIFAX - Pick No. 14 proved to be quite eventful for the Saint John Sea Dogs during Friday's opening round of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Entry Draft.

Earlier in the night, the Sea Dogs acquired the 14th and 17th overall picks from the Victoriaville Tigres in exchange for the fifth overall selection. When pick No. 14 came around, the Sea Dogs made a major trade with the Quebec Remparts.

In exchange for the 14th overall pick, Saint John acquired defenseman Thomas Charbonneau, forward Ryan Howard and a second-round selection in this year's draft. The Sea Dogs are also expected to receive a second-round pick in the 2027 draft, which Quebec currently doesn't have.

Charbonneau, who will turn 17 next week, posted two goals and nine assists in 48 games during his rookie campaign with Quebec. He added an assist in 11 playoff games.

Charbonneau was drafted fourth overall by the Remparts in last year's draft. He previously played at Shattuck St. Mary's. 

C’est tout un revirement de situation.

À pareille date l’an dernier, Charbonneau était choisi 4e au total par Québec. Simon Gagné le comparait alors à Marc-Édouard Vlasic.

Les choses vont vite dans le junior. https://t.co/pe84KbLRKt

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) June 6, 2026

Howard, 18, recorded nine goals and 11 assists in 62 regular season games with the Remparts last season, his second with the club. He added two assists in eight playoff games.

A Kirkland, Que. native and Lac St-Louis Lions grad, Howard was a second-round pick of Quebec in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft.

The Remparts then dealt pick No. 14 to Chicoutimi. Then Chicoutimi traded it to Baie-Comeau. Finally, the Drakkar traded it back to Saint John.

The Sea Dogs acquired the 14th overall pick along with sixth- and seventh-round picks in this year's draft in exchange for the 17th overall pick along with second-, sixth- and eighth-round picks in this year's draft.

With theat 14th overall pick, Saint John selected defenseman Lawrence Williams from the Weeks Major Midgets. The 6'1", 165 lbs Nova Scotian posted 10 goals and 28 assists in 32 games last season. He added a goal and six assists in 14 playoff games.

Williams was ranked ninth overall by QMJHL Central Scouting.

More to come...