Attention now turns to MacDonald

With Peter Reynolds signed, attention now turns to Cameron MacDonald.

Like Reynolds, MacDonald is a 2003-born forward who is committed to Boston College. And like Reynolds, MacDonald slid to Saint John in last year's QMJHL Entry Draft due to his college hockey intentions and spent last season continuing his path in that direction.

Yesterday's signing has created some wondering though: is MacDonald the next to sign with Saint John?

This tweet yesterday from Acadie Nouvelle has created more speculation.

Le Néo-Brunswickois Peter Reynolds abandonne l'idée de jouer dans la NCAA et s'entend avec les Sea Dogs. Mais ce n'est pas tout, l'équipe serait aussi sur le point d'annoncer l'arrivée d'un autre solide espoir, le Néo-Écossais Cameron MacDonald.

— Robert Lagacé (@RobLagace) May 11, 2020

Craig Eagles of Rogers TV also speculated, writing in a blog post that there are "also rumours circulating that Cam MacDonald may potentially be opting out of the NCAA route as well."

We will see what happens.

Signing MacDonald would be another huge get for the Sea Dogs. The Halifax native spent last season in the USHL with Sioux Falls, recording six goals and 14 assists. He is still listed as a BC commit for the 2021-22 season by College Hockey Inc.

HockeyProspect.com had MacDonald ranked as the 21st best player ahead of last year's draft. He fell to Saint John in the third round, 51st overall.

Reynolds cited the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for signing with Saint John, opting to stay closer to home. You have to wonder if some other top prospects - whether they've been drafted in years past or will be drafted next month - may opt to do the same. These uncertain times have created, well, plenty of uncertainty.

Reynolds invited to WJAC camp

Peter Reynolds will have the opportunity to play on the international stage for a second time this season.

The Saint John Sea Dogs 2019 second round pick was invited to Canada West's selection camp ahead of this year's World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, BC. Reynolds was one of 44 players invited to take part in the camp, which will take place in Calgary from Dec. 1-3.

Reynolds has been playing with the BCHL's Chilliwack Chiefs this season where he has six goals and 10 assists in 20 games.

The Fredericton native recently participated in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and had one assist in five games. Current Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy played on the same team as Reynolds at the tournament and recorded two goals and two assists.

Reynolds is committed to Boston College for the 2022 season - but the Sea Dogs are no doubt hoping he decides to take the major junior route before then. The forward participated in Saint John's development camp this past summer.

The World Junior A Challenge begins on Dec. 7.

Stairs scores in MHL debut

HALIFAX - Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Dawson Stairs made a strong first impression with his new team.

The 16-year-old forward made his Maritime Junior Hockey League debut on Friday night, scoring on a penalty shot to help the Campbellton Tigers defeat the South Shore Lumberjacks 5-2.

Turn your screen to see the goal:

Tigers Forward Dawson Stairs picks up his 1st Junior Goal with a Penalty Shot! @StairsDawson @SJSeaDogs @THEMHL @JrNightCanada pic.twitter.com/aysDOH8XLO

— Campbellton Tigers (@CTonTigerHockey) December 8, 2018

Stairs joined the Tigers this week after leaving his US prep school program. The move will allow the Fredericton native to play against older competition and be recalled by the Sea Dogs more often.

Campbellton sits second in the MHL's Eastlink North Division with a 14-7-1-0 record. They visit the division leading Summerside Western Capitals this evening.

Photo: Tigers Facebook page

Checking In On The 2015 Draft Class

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

With the playoffs nearing in most hockey leagues, let’s check in on Saint John’s 2015 draft class (included here are some of the players that are still expected to take the US college route but remain protected by the Sea Dogs).

Kicking things off with the ninth overall selection in 2015, Alex D’Orio has had a very good season with Cantonniers de Magog. D’Orio is being mentored by head coach and former NHL goaltender Felix Potvin, which should benefit him as he continues to develop in hopes of being a big part of the Sea Dogs’ future. D’Orio is posting some solid numbers with a 2.56 goals against average and a save percentage of .908, including three shutouts. D’Orio has been splitting most of the starts for Magog with 2016 draft prospect Justin Blanchette.

Next we have the 10^th overall selection in the 2015 draft, Cedric Pare. Pare is currently on pace for a point per game season with 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points in 40 games with the Commandeurs de Levis in the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League. Despite the Commandeurs being in last place in their division, Pare has managed to climb to a tie for 24th overall in the league in points and is getting plenty of ice time as he continues to develop in midget AAA.

In the third round of the 2015 QMJHL draft, the Sea Dogs added another defenseman to their stable of impressive young defenders. Vincent Martineau is currently the captain of the Phenix Esther-Blondin who currently sit in first place in their division and second overall in QMAAA. Martineau provides solid leadership for the Phenix and continues to be a solid contributor to their offense while being a strong defender in his own zone. Currently, Martineau has tallied seven goals and 18 assists in 32 games and in his brief stint with Saint John managed to record his first QMJHL goal on Dec. 29 against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

In the fourth round in 2015 the Sea Dogs added Morgan Barron from Newbridge Academy. Barron left camp early to maintain his NCAA eligibility and is currently attending St. Andrew’s College. Barron recently announced via Twitter that he has committed to Cornell University, which may mean he’ll continues his hockey career south of the border. Barron has had an outstanding season thus far, putting up 39 goals and 28 assists for 67 points in 53 games. There is still plenty of time for Barron to change his mind, but at this point, it seems he will choose the NCAA route.

The first American player drafted in 2015 was Marc McLaughlin, who currently plays out of Cushing Academy and has committed to St. Lawrence University. The Sea Dogs undoubtedly still have hopes to convince McLaughlin to play in the QMJHL. McLaughlin has put up 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in just 23 games with Cushing Academy.

DOGS DAILY: Prospects Lighting Up Midget

Three Saint John Sea Dogs prospects are lighting up the NB/PEI Major Midget Hockey League this season.

The Saint John Vitos, this year’s Telus Cup host team, sit first in the league with a 16-3-0 record – which is nine points ahead of the second-place Kensington Wild. The Vitos have scored a league high 86 goals in 19 games with Dogs prospects Alex Lafreniere, Ben Reid and Ian Smallwood providing major contributions.

Here’s a look at the Vitos’ scoring leaders, all of whom are in the top 12 in NB/PEIMMHL scoring.

Smallwood, a defenseman taken in the ninth-round of this year’s QMJHL Entry Draft by Saint John, is tied for the league lead in goals. Lafreniere, an 11^th-round pick of the Dogs, is fifth overall in league scoring.

Kallum Muirhead, an eighth-round pick of Saint John, leads the Charlottetown Islanders (no, not the Charlottetown Islanders) in scoring with seven goals and four assists in 15 games.

In other news…

• The Sea Dogs are in Moncton on Wednesday night to face the Wildcats once again. Conor Garland will be there after not being named to Team USA’s world junior camp roster.
• The chances of the Buffalo Sabres sending Jack Eichel to the Sea Dogs are growing increasingly slim, friends. He has nine goals and give assists in 27 games. #KeepTheFaith
• Will Thomas Chabot make Team Canada? Seems like a lot of people are saying no, including The Q News. 
• Speaking of Chabot, Hockey’s Future wrote this week “the fleet-footed transition player has a future in Ottawa, perhaps as early as next season.” Given how quickly Chabot has consistently progressed over his career, it wouldn't even be that shocking.
• Mike Hoffman, who has 14 goals an 12 assists with the Ottawa Senators this season, is going to get paid quite well this off-season if he can maintain this pace, writes The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Sarault Named Tournament MVP

KENSINGTON, PEI - Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Chris Sarault was named the most valuable player and top forward at this year’s Atlantic Major Midget AAA Championship in Kensington, PEI.

Sarault reportedly suffered a broken arm in yesterday’s win against the St. John’s Maple Leafs, cutting his tournament short. Sarault’s Moncton Flyers lost 4-3 to the Newbridge Academy Gladiators in today’s championship game.

The Gladiators will now represent the Atlantic region at the 2015 Telus Cup in Riviere-du-Loup from April 20-26.

Sarault, an eighth-round pick of Saint John in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft, recorded four goals and three assists in three games at the tournament, placing him in a tie for the scoring lead. He was also named a first team all-star.

Fellow Sea Dogs prospect Kyle Ward is also a member of the Flyers. He had two goals and two assists in four round robin games and also recorded a goal and an assist in today’s championship contest.

Quispamsis and the Saint John Vitos will host next year’s Telus Cup.