Sea Dogs acquire Delarosbil; three more released

Sherbrooke Phoenix

The Saint John Sea Dogs defense core is starting to take shape.

The Sea Dogs acquired 18-year-old defenseman Brandon Delarosbil from the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Wednesday. In exchange, Saint John dealt defenseman Vincent Croteau, the team's 2027 first-round pick and Drummondville’s 2028 second-round pick.

Later in the day, the team released free agent defensemen Jayden Connors and Joe Mense from the training camp roster. Forward Felix Pronovost was also released.

The Sea Dogs now have 24 players on their camp roster, which includes 12 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders.

The nine defensemen are Delarosbil, Thomas Charbonneau, Cameron Chartrand, Bo Damphousse, Oskar Drabczynski, Olivier Duhamel, Jesse Dunlap, Julien Lanthier and Lawrence Williams. Duhamel is expected to start the season on the injured list.

Delarosbil, a second-round pick of the Phoenix in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft, posted eight goals and 14 assists in 60 games with Sherbrooke last season, his first full year in the league. He's committed to the NCAA's University of Nebraska-Omaha following his junior career.

“Brandon is a player that we have coveted for a while,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a news release. “He has offensive tools and instincts, and he competes. He fits with our age group and will grow with our core over the next two seasons.”

Mense, an overager, appeared in all three of Saint John's pre-season games. Pronovost also appeared in all three exhibition games. Connors, who was the Maritime Junior Hockey League's playoff MVP this past season, did not appear in any pre-season games but did play in intra-squad contests.

The Sea Dogs are back in action on Friday night when they host the Halifax Mooseheads in pre-season play at TD Station. Game time is 7 p.m.