Sea Dogs sign Ozogany

Andrej Galica/Slovak Ice Hockey Federation

The Saint John Sea Dogs have officially added another piece to their roster.

The team announced on Thursday that Slovakian forward Oliver Ozogany, who was selected by Saint John with the 44th overall pick in this year's CHL Import Draft, has been signed to a QMJHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Ozogany is fresh off competing for Slovakia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton where he posted an assist in five games.

“We’re excited to welcome Oliver to the Sea Dogs. He is a player with a lot of potential,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a news release. “His experience playing as a 16-year-old in North America with Tri-City will help him in his transition to the CHL. He has been an important player for his country for many years now, and we look forward to him being important to us and our championship aspirations.”

While Ozogany is obviously an import, he's spent the past three seasons playing in the United States, including the 2025-26 campaign in the USHL. In 56 games with the Tri-City Storm last year, he posted nine goals and eight assists.

Listed at 6'2" and 203 lbs, Ozogany has an early birthday and will turn 18 in January.

The Sea Dogs have now signed their top two picks from this year's Import Draft. The team previously signed Czech forward Matyas Cancik.

The team's third pick from this year's Import Draft, Finnish defenseman Vertti Svensk, remains unsigned. A Los Angeles Kings prospect, he would be a massive addition to Saint John's backend – but one that is likely a complicated signing.

Sea Dogs sign Wasmer

Chicoutimi Sagueneens

The Saint John Sea Dogs will start the regular season with a full set of overagers.

The Sea Dogs announced Tuesday the signing of 20-year-old defenseman Julien Wasmer, a Montreal native that appeared in 41 games with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens last season.

“We are happy to add Julien to our roster to begin the season. He should be able to step in right away and play solid minutes that will allow our younger defencemen on the left side to continue their development in a productive manner,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a news release. “Julien brings a physical presence, defends hard and moves the puck efficiently, which will serve as a quality complement to our dynamic right side.”

Wasmer posted a goal and 13 assists in 41 regular season games with Chicoutimi last season. He also appeared in 11 playoff games.

Wasmer started the 2024-25 with the BCHL's Penticton Vees where he recorded a goal and two assists in 20 games. He spent the previous two seasons with the CCHL's Smiths Falls Bears.

College Hockey Inc. shows Wasmer as a 2026-27 University of Maine commit.

Wasmer takes the place of 20-year-old defenseman Alexis Daviault, who the Sea Dogs released a couple weeks ago after a short stint at the club's training camp.

Tuesday's signing means Saint John will start the year with Wasmer, Angelo Fullerton and Natan Éthier as their trio of overagers – all of whom will be playing their first seasons with the Sea Dogs. It's notable that Saint John didn't add an overage goaltender, which they have done plenty of times in recent years. It looks like the net will belong to Justin Robinson and Rafaël Courchesne for now.

The Sea Dogs begin regular season play this Friday at TD Station when they host the Cape Breton Eagles at 7 p.m.

Sea Dogs sign overage defenseman

Embed from Getty Images 

FREDERICTON - An already crowded blue line got even more crowded on Friday.

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.

Sea Dogs sign Barlas

Ottawa 67's

The Saint John Sea Dogs have added another overager to their training camp roster.

The Sea Dogs announced the signing of 20-year-old free agent forward Chris Barlas on Friday. He's expected to join the team for training camp, which begins this weekend at TD Station.

“We are excited to be adding Chris to our team. He brings a wealth of experience that checks a lot of boxes in what we are looking for in a 20-year-old this season,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a statement. “Sea Dogs fans can expect a gritty two-way forward with a strong offensive touch. Everyone in Ottawa spoke highly of Chris’s character and leadership, which will make for a strong addition on the ice and in our room.”

Barlas has spent the past four seasons with the OHL's Ottawa 67's. In 67 games last season, the Ottawa native posted 13 goals and 18 assists.

In 220 career OHL games, Barlas posted 36 goals and 44 assists. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

He's listed at 5'10" and 185 lbs.

The Sea Dogs now have seven overagers attending training camp: forwards Barlas, Mitchell Wagner, Natan Éthier, Ben Cross and Angelo Fullerton; and goaltenders Eric Young and Rhett Stoesser. Éthier (Shawinigan) and Fullerton (Cape Breton) are on loan from other QMJHL teams.

The Sea Dogs will hold a scrimmage on Sunday night at 7 p.m. at TD Station. They begin pre-season play on Tuesday in Moncton.

Sea Dogs sign Baldwin

The Saint John Sea Dogs have officially signed defenseman Everett Baldwin.

The team announced the expected signing on Thursday. The 18-year-old was a second-round pick of Saint John in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft.

“Everett was a key target for us in the 2025 draft as we continue to remodel our defensive group, particularly on the right side,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a news release. “Everett’s elite skating ability, willingness to play a physical game, and hunger to get better will make an immediate impact in our lineup. We are very excited to play a part in his developmental journey.”

Baldwin spent most of last season at St. George's School (a US prep school) where he recorded 10 goals and 10 assists in 22 games. He also spent time with the USNTDP and the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

The Providence native was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in this year's NHL Draft.

The Sea Dogs' press release notes that "he played for the New England District alongside Sea Dogs forwards Egan Beveridge and Alex Donovan at the 2024 USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival, finishing with three points (two goals, one assist) in six games."

Baldwin is committed to the NCAA's Providence College Friars for the 2026-27 season, so this could be a one-and-done situation in Saint John, which is simply the new reality of junior hockey.

Depending on how training camp and other moves or signings play out, Saint John's defense core could look dramatically different this season compared to last. The Sea Dogs allowed 4.05 goals against per game last year, the third most in the QMJHL.

Sea Dogs training camp will presumably begin the weekend of Aug. 16. The team opens pre-season play on Aug. 19 in Dieppe against the Moncton Wildcats.

Notebook: Sea Dogs attend USA Hockey Festival

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Three players with Saint John Sea Dogs connections recently took part in USA Hockey's Boys National 17 Festival in Amherst, NY.

Sea Dogs forward Matthew Krayer recorded a goal and two assists in six games with the Massachusetts District, who finished fourth at the event. Defensive prospect Brian McFadden, a seventh-round pick of Saint John in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft, was also part of that team and registered a goal in six games.

Both Krayer and McFadden recently took part in Sea Dogs development camp in Quispamsis.

Defenseman Oskar Drabczynski, a seventh-round pick of Saint John in this year's draft, registered two assists in six games with the New England District, who finished second.

According to USA Hockey, "the Boys National 17 Festival is a District team-based tournament format, but the priority is still to improve and showcase the players participating. Players will experience a competitive, age-specific environment with on-ice training (drills, small area games, competitions, etc.) and off-ice training (strength & conditioning, team building, mental skills, nutrition, classroom, etc.)."

CRICKARD NAMED TO HLINKA STAFF

Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard has been named an associate coach for Team Canada at this year's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which will take place Aug. 11-16

From Hockey Canada:

Crickard recently completed his third season as the head coach of the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs and was promoted to general manager in October 2024. He also spent time with the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Ottawa 67’s (2013-14) and Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Kelowna Rockets (2014-19). Crickard has won three gold medals with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the IIHF U18 World Championship, twice as an assistant coach (2024, 2025) and once as a video coach in 2021. He also won a silver medal as the head coach of Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge. Crickard was an assistant coach for Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, finishing fourth. He was a member of Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge as a video coach (2016)—winning a silver medal—and an assistant coach in 2017.

Mathieu Turcotte will be the team's head coach. Rick Steadman of the London Knights will join Crickard behind the bench as an assistant.

Sea Dogs forward William Yared and defenseman Cameron Chartrand have both been invited to Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp later this month in Oakville.

Mann commits to Colorado College

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Matteo Mann is heading west for the 2025-26 season.

It was announced Tuesday that Mann has committed to the NCAA's Colorado College Tigers for next season. The 20-year-old just completed his final season of junior hockey and was not signed by the Philadelphia Flyers to an entry-level deal, making him a free agent.

Mann, who was a seventh-round pick of the Flyers in the 2023 NHL Draft, recently earned an invite to Dallas Stars development camp.

The 6'6", 234 lbs defenseman recorded six goals and eight assists in 56 games with Saint John last season. He spent two seasons with the club after playing three with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Join us in welcoming Matteo Mann to Colorado Springs‼️

Mann is a 2023 7th round pick by the Flyers in the NHL Draft👏#CCTigers pic.twitter.com/Q4IKV0KHp7

— CC Hockey (@CCTigerHKY) July 1, 2025

Mann joins a Tigers program that is expected to be on the rise in the coming years. The school, located in Colorado Springs, recently opened a beautiful on-campus arena that should give their recruiting a huge boost.

The Tigers play in a powerhouse conference – the NCHC. The conference is home to the likes of Denver, North Dakota, Arizona State and defending national champion Western Michigan.

The Tigers begin the 2025-26 season at home with a non-conference series against the UConn Huskies on Oct. 3-4.

Defenseman Nate Tivey, who also just completed his overage season with the Sea Dogs, has committed to Quinnipiac University for next season. Overage goaltender Charles-Edward Gravel, who was released by the team in the second half, has committed to Mercyhurst University. 

Sea Dogs sign free agent Donovan

Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs are the latest Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League team to dip their toe into the American free agent market.

The Sea Dogs announced Wednesday the signing of 18-year-old forward Alexander Donovan to a QMJHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Connecticut native is eligible for this year's NHL Draft and is ranked 197th amongst North American skaters by Central Scouting.

“As we continue to shape our roster for next season we are delighted to announce the signing of Alex Donovan,” said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard in a news release. “Alex has demonstrated scoring punch and a winning mentality in helping his Shattuck St. Mary’s team win the U18 National Championship last season along with his international experience. He is a quick, gritty player with a high level of hunger to improve who Sea Dogs fans will enjoy watching.”

In 58 games with Shattuck St. Mary’s in US Prep play last season, Donovan posted 45 goals and 46 assists. It was his fourth season at the prestigious hockey school.

Donovan also appeared in two USHL games with the Sioux Falls Stampede last season.

Listed at 5'11" and 170 lbs, Donovan played with Team USA at last year's Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he recorded a goal and four assists in five games, finishing in a tie for the team's scoring lead.

The forward is committed to the NCAA's University of Denver for the 2026-27 season, one of college hockey's best programs in recent years. He was selected first overall by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the 2023 QMJHL American Draft.

Donovan's time with the Sea Dogs may be short, but he could add some serious offensive firepower to a team that struggled to score last season. The Sea Dogs finished with a league low 2.38 goals per game.

Saint John is looking much stronger offensively to start this season compared to how they ended the last with the additions of Donovan; at least a couple forwards from their 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft class; their returning players; plus the potential for more impact adds through the CHL Import Draft and free agency.

Mann, Peddle not signed by NHL clubs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Matteo Mann and Tyler Peddle are officially free agents.

Neither were signed by their respective NHL club by the June 1 deadline, meaning their rights have been relinquished. Both were selected in the seventh-round of the 2023 NHL Draft: Mann was picked 199th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers while Peddle was taken 224th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Mann appeared in one game with the ECHL's Reading Royals at the end of the 2023-24 season. Peddle, meanwhile, joined the AHL's Cleveland Monsters at the end of this year's regular season but did not appear in any games.

Mann just completed his overage season of junior hockey, recording six goals and eight assists in 56 games with the Saint John Sea Dog. The 6'6", 234 lbs defenseman will presumably play some form of pro or university hockey this coming season.

#LetsGoFlyers prospects Carter Sotheran, Matteo Mann and Brian Zanetti are officially free agents as of June 1, 2025.

— Dylan H. Robillard (@HendrixHockey_) June 1, 2025

His father, Trent Mann, is currently a player development and scouting advisor for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Peddle has one season of junior eligibility remaining – and not signing with Columbus just about guarantees he'll be back in the QMJHL for his overage season. In 54 games with Saint John this year, the Antigonish native recorded 15 goals and 14 assists.

It’s out there already. But confirming #CBJ did not sign Tyler Peddle or Martin Rysavy before today’s deadline thus relinquishing their rights.

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) June 1, 2025

It doesn't come as a big shock that neither were signed. It was reported a few weeks ago by Columbus media that Peddle would not be signed by the Blue Jackets.

Notebook: Mateiko's season ends in a loss

Vincent Éthier / CHL

Eriks Mateiko and the Rimouski Oceanic were eliminated from the Memorial Cup on Wednesday, falling 6-2 to the Moncton Wildcats. The former Sea Dogs captain was the lone Sea Dogs alumnus participating in the event.

Wednesday's game was likely Mateiko's last in the QMJHL. Mateiko had a goal in three games at the tournament after posting seven goals and four assists in 18 playoff games. 

The Wildcats don't feature any former Sea Dogs players but do have a few former coaches on their staff – including Gardiner MacDougall.

The Wildcats face the London Knights in the Memorial Cup semifinal on Friday at 8 p.m. The winner advances to Sunday's championship game against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

PEDDLE NOT SIGNING

Tyler Peddle is reportedly about to become a free agent.

According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the Columbus Blue Jackets will not sign the Sea Dogs forward ahead of the June 1 deadline, making him a free agent. Peddle was a seventh-round pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Told #CBJ will not be signing F Tyler Peddle or F Martin Rysavy by the June 1 deadline, relinquishing their rights to the players.
Peddle, 20, was a 7th-round pick (No. 224 overall) in 2024, while Rysavy, 22, was a 7th-round pick (No. 197 overall) in 2021.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 24, 2025

Peddle joined the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, for a short period after Saint John's season ended. He did not appear in any AHL games.

Peddle is eligible to return to Saint John for his overage season. He posted 15 goals and 14 assists in 54 games this past season.

McCallum to NCAA; Peddle released from ATO

James West/UNB Reds

Just a couple weeks after being named UNB Reds male athlete of the year, it appears defenseman Kale McCallum is heading south of the border to play next season.

The former Saint John Sea Dog has committed to the NCAA's Providence Friars for the 2025-26 season. It's believed the 23-year-old has two years of college hockey eligibility remaining.

Kale McCallum (University of New Brunswick) has committed to Providence College for 2025-26@FriarsHockey @hockey_east @UNBMHockey @AUS_SUA

— Hockey Commitments (@HockeyCommits) April 16, 2025

McCallum has been one of the top offensive defensemen in U Sports over the past couple seasons. He posted 13 goals and 26 assists in 27 regular season games with UNB this year and added another goal and five assists in five playoff contests.

McCallum played two seasons with the Sea Dogs before being traded to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

It will be interesting to see if more U Sports players make the move south. It will also be interesting to see how players like McCallum perform in the NCAA – especially in a tough conference like Hockey East.

A few other signing news and notes...

• Sea Dogs forward Tyler Peddle has been released from his amateur tryout contract with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters. Peddle did not appear in any games for the Monsters.

  🚨 ROSTER UPDATE 🚨
  
  We have released forward Tyler Peddle from his ATO

  — Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) April 13, 2025

• Former Sea Dogs forward Drew Elliott – who played with McCallum at UNB this past season – was released from his ATO with the AHL's San Diego Gulls after appearing in one game with the club. He has since signed with the ECHL's Tulsa Oilers where he posted three assists in his debut on April 9. Elliott has been added to Tulsa's playoff roster. The Oilers will play the Western Conference champion Kansas City Mavericks in the opening round.
• University of Maine forward Lynden Breen recently signed with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, recording two goals and two assists in five regular season games. Breen, a Grand Bay-Westfield native and a 2017 draft pick of the Sea Dogs, has been included on South Carolina's playoff roster. The Stingrays had the ECHL's best record in the regular season.
• Former Maine forward Bradly Nadeau of St-François-de-Madawaska got called up to the Carolina Hurricanes this week where he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on a Tyson Jost goal in a 4-2 'Canes loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

  "Wow, that was my first NHL Point"
  Hanna Yates discussed her interview with Bradley Nadeau, as he had gotten his name on the scoresheet for the first time in the NHL in yesterday's game against the Montreal Canadiens on Tyson Jost's goal, who was his teammate with the Chicago… pic.twitter.com/dDcwosJx43

  — Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) April 17, 2025

• Nadeau was recently named to the AHL's all-rookie team after recording 30 goals and 26 assists in 63 games with the Chicago Wolves. According to the AHL, he is "the fifth player in AHL history to have a 30-goal season before the age of 20." Also named to the all-rookie team was Texas Stars forward Justin Hryckowian who, like Breen, was a 2017 draft pick of Saint John who went on to play college hockey.

Tivey commits to Quinnipiac

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Nate Tivey will be playing south of the border next season.

The Saint John Sea Dogs announced Monday that Tivey has committed to the NCAA's Quinnipiac Bobcats for the 2025-26 season. The defensemen just completed his overage season with the Sea Dogs.

This is the first time the Sea Dogs have formally announced an NCAA commitment since the rule change in the fall.

“I am super excited to be able to play hockey at Quinnipiac University," Tivey said in a team news release. "Playing Division 1 hockey in the United States has been a goal of mine for a very long time. To be able to play hockey at such a high level while getting an education from a great school is very special and I couldn’t be more honoured.”

Quinnipiac is regularly one of the top programs in college hockey. The team, which plays in the ECAC conference with schools like Harvard and Cornell, has been to three Frozen Fours since 2013 and won the national championship in 2023.

The Bobcats have already secured commitments from Halifax Mooseheads defenseman Brady Schultz and Moncton Wildcats forward Markus Vidicek. Tivey, Schultz and Vidicek are/were all captains this season.

Tivey captained the Sea Dogs in the second half following the Eriks Mateiko trade. The 21-year-old posted five goals and 35 assists in 63 regular season games.

Tivey played in 192 career games with the Sea Dogs over three seasons, recording 11 goals and 81 assists.

Peddle signs ATO with AHL's Monsters

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It looks like Tyler Peddle will be making his professional hockey debut at some point over the next couple weeks.

The AHL's Cleveland Monsters announced Monday that the Saint John Sea Dogs forward has been signed to an amateur tryout contract. The Monsters, who sit eighth in the AHL's Eastern Conference, have eight regular season games remaining.

Peddle was a seventh-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft. Even if he does appear in some AHL games, he is still eligible to return to the QMJHL for an overage season in the fall.

Like for much of his junior career, consistency was the problem for Peddle during the 2024-25 season, looking good for some stretches then sliding down the lineup for others. He finished with 15 goals and 14 assists in 54 games. He missed the club's final regular season game with an injury.

In the same news release, the Monsters signed Providence Friars defenseman Guillaume Richard to an ATO as well. Richard, who's season (and college career) came to an end this past weekend, was a fourth-round pick of Saint John in the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft.

The Monsters are back in action on Friday when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Notebook: Mateiko signs ELC

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Just a few days after being reassigned to Saint John, the Washington Capitals have signed Sea Dogs forward Eriks Mateiko to a three-year, entry level contract.

According to the Capitals, "Mateiko's contract will carry an average annual value of $889,167" at the NHL level.

The Latvian was a third-round pick of the Capitals in this summer's NHL Draft. He has spent the past two seasons in Saint John and made his 2024-25 debut on Friday night in Charlottetown, recording one shot and a +1 rating. He played on Saint John's top line with Tyler Peddle and Ben Cross.

The 18-year-old also worn an 'A' on his sweater Friday and is likely a strong candidate to be the team's captain this season.

HATTIE FOR PEDDLE

Welcome back Tyler Peddle.

The 19-year-old recorded his second career QMJHL hat trick in his 2024-25 regular season debut on Friday, leading the Sea Dogs to a 6-2 win over the Charlottetown Islanders.

Peddle seems to enjoy playing against the Islanders. He recorded four goals and an assist in six meetings with Charlottetown last season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect picked up where he left off. Peddle ended the 2023-24 regular season with eight goals in his final 10 games.

Mann signs ATO with ECHL's Royals

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Matteo Mann's season isn't over just yet.

The Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman has signed an amateur tryout agreement with the ECHL's Reading Royals. The Royals are an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, the organization that drafted Mann in the seventh-round in 2023.

Mann appeared in just 42 games with the Sea Dogs this season while battling some injuries. The 19-year-old posted six goals and seven assists and added one goal in four playoff games.

Mann spent the previous three seasons with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and could return to the QMJHL for an overage season in 2024-25. Players like Mann joining a pro team at the end of the year isn't uncommon and he remains eligible to be returned to junior next season.

According to Philly Hockey Now, "if Mann plays some games for the Flyers organization, he’ll be the first player of the 2023 draft class to do so. Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk are still playing for the London Knights, while Matvei Michkov, obviously, hasn’t come over from the KHL yet."

The Royals, who sit last in the ECHL's North Division, have just two regular season games remaining. They'll host the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday and Saturday. 

Beveridge officially commits to Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs have locked in American forward Egan Beveridge.

Beveridge, Saint John's top pick in this June's QMJHL Entry Draft, has officially committed to joining the team for the 2023-24 season, the Sea Dogs announced Wednesday.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Egan and the Beveridge family have officially committed to join the Sea Dogs organization,” said Sea Dogs general manager Anthony Stella in a news release. “To add a player of Egan’s caliber to our team is a major step towards the continued success of this franchise.”

A New Hampshire native, Beveridge recorded 16 points in 10 regular season games and 10 points in five playoff games with the Chicago Mission last season. He played at Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island the year before.

The 16-year-old is currently taking part in USA Hockey’s BioSteel Boys 16 Player Development Camp where he's regularly been playing top line minutes.

“When a player like Egan who has many options chooses our program to develop as a player, student and person we take great pride and responsibility in that," added Stella in the release. "Today is a great day for this team and we will work hard to continue with this momentum."

This news doesn't come as a surprise but certainly reduces the chances of a last minute change of plans. Beveridge attended the draft in Sherbrooke and took part in the team's development camp in Quispamsis.

While on the small side (he's listed at 5'8" and 168 lbs), he showed off quickness and skill at the team's development camp. This drafting and signing could prove to be a significant part of Saint John's rebuild.

Sevigny signs with AHL Islanders

Vincent Ethier/CHL

Vincent Sevigny is the latest member of the Saint John Sea Dogs' 2022 Memorial Cup championship team to sign an American Hockey League deal.

The Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, signed the Sea Dogs' captain on Friday. This will be Sevigny's first year of professional hockey after completing his junior career by lifting the Memorial Cup in June.

The 21-year-old defenseman was acquired by Saint John from the Victoriaville Tigres during the holiday trade period. Sevigny recorded 11 goals and 36 points in 37 game with Saint John in the second half.

After a rough opening round playoff series against the Rimouski Oceanic, Sevigny, like many of his teammates, rebounded during the Memorial Cup tournament. The captain had a goal and an assist in four games - which included opening the scoring in the final.

Sevigny won the President Cup with the Tigres in 2020-21.

Francis, Bezeau ink AHL deals

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Two members of the Saint John Sea Dogs' Memorial Cup championship team have signed American Hockey League deals.

Forward Ryan Francis has signed a one-year, one-way deal with the Laval Rocket, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, while forward Riley Bezeau has signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Charlotte Checkers, affiliate of the Florida Panthers.

Francis just completed his overage season and, after not being signed to an entry-level deal by the Calgary Flames and going undrafted last week, was an unrestricted free agent. Bezeau, meanwhile, had one more year of junior eligibility remaining.

Both Francis and Bezeau will be taking part in NHL development camps.

Francis, who started this past season with the AHL's Stockton Heat, had 25 goals and 65 points in 54 regular season games with Saint John. He had a goal and an assist in four playoff games and added two goals and six points in four matches at the Memorial Cup.

The Laval Rocket announced on Monday that the team has agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way AHL contract (2022-23) with forward Ryan Francis.#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/z17uRhSdqa

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) July 11, 2022

Bezeau was a 12th-round pick of the Sea Dogs in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft and wasn't a regular in the league until the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season. The local boy certainly played the role of a third liner to perfection, playing a physical style while also contributing offensively. Bezeau had 11 goals and 27 points in 56 regular season games and another two goals and two assists in the playoffs.

The Panthers have signed forward Riley Bezeau to a one-year AHL contract

➡️ https://t.co/jEChA47LZQ pic.twitter.com/AqZ7s0iouI

— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) July 11, 2022

Bezeau, who wore an 'A' on his sweater, will certainly be remembered for his Memorial Cup performance, dropping the gloves against the Edmonton Oil Kings and then scoring in the championship game.

Bezeau turning pro certainly helps ease some of the log jam of overage players the Sea Dogs have heading into next season. 

Notebook: President Cup final begins

The 2022 President Cup final begins tonight in Charlottetown.

The Islanders and Shawinigan Cataractes will battle in Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series at 7 p.m. The Islanders will be without Xavier Simoneau due to a suspension.

This is the first time the Islanders have played in a President Cup final. Neither team has even won a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship.

Only one former Sea Dog remains in the hunt for the President Cup: Islanders forward Dawson Stairs.

Game 2 takes place Sunday night at Eastlink Centre before the series shifts to Shawinigan for Games 3 and 4.

The Cataractes, who entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, will be hoping to continue the Game 1 upset trend seen across the country. The underdog Windsor Spitfires defeated the previously undefeated Hamilton Bulldogs 4-3 in overtime in the first game of the Ontario Hockey League final Friday night. In the Western Hockey League final, the underdog Seattle Thunderbirds beat the favoured Edmonton Oil Kings 2-1 in the opening game.

FRANCIS GOES UNSIGNED

Why didn't the Calgary Flames sign Sea Dogs forward Ryan Francis by Wednesday's deadline?

The Win Column examines this question.

It seems a bit bizarre that Francis wasn’t re-signed this year after the numbers he has put up in his time in the Q. While nobody is speaking publicly, the most likely answer is that the Flames did not believe that his game would transition effectively to the next level. After keeping him in the AHL for a couple of months this previous fall and only getting him into four games, it looked like the Flames were not convinced of his ability to translate his production to the professional ranks.

Francis had 25 goals and 65 points in 54 regular season games with the Sea Dogs this year. He had a goal and an assist in four playoff games.

Francis was a fifth-round pick of the Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft, the same year Calgary selected Yan Kuznetsov (second round) and Jeremie Poirier (third round).

Notebook: Electric crowds are back

Cataractes Twitter

There were some truly beautiful scenes in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this weekend.

After having no playoffs in 2020 and then playoffs with limited fans in attendance in 2021, it was great to see a couple of buildings full and alive on Sunday.

In Shawinigan Sunday afternoon, 4,512 fans watched the Cataractes fall 3-2 to the Quebec Remparts.

⚡️ Tout est en place!#JusquAuBut #Ubuntu pic.twitter.com/PrfLLTkBRU

— Cataractes de Shawinigan (@Cataractes_Shaw) May 29, 2022

In Sherbrooke, 4,500 fans watched the Phoenix fall 3-2 to the Charlottetown Islanders.

C'est parti au Palais des sports de Sherbrooke. Match 3 entre le Phoenix et les Islanders: 1-1 dans cette 3e ronde trois de cinq. Robillard contre Lapenna devant le filet. pic.twitter.com/4mGUqs3rAv

— Jérôme Gaudreau (@JeromeGaudreau) May 29, 2022

Junior hockey at its best. Hopefully there are scenes like this in Saint John this June.

(LESS THAN) THREE WEEKS AWAY

We're getting closer.

The 2022 Memorial Cup is less than three weeks away. The Sea Dogs will play the first game of the tournament, hosting the Ontario Hockey League champion on Monday, June 20 at TD Station.

Memorial Cup events get rolling a couple days earlier on Saturday, June 18 with ball hockey, the Port City Party at the Container Village and fireworks.

The Memorial Cup website has the full event list and now includes more detailed info.