Notebook: Crickard, Beaulieu win wild WHL debut

Swift Current Broncos

It was quite a Western Hockey League coaching debut for Travis Crickard and the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday.

The Broncos defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 5-2 in a game that was highlighted by an old school line brawl in the second period. Former Sea Dogs forward Jacob Beaulieu, also making his WHL regular season debut, was involved.

Haven't seen a legit 5 on 5 in awhile. #WHL
Swift Current Vs Prince Albert 09.19.26 #HFH pic.twitter.com/Yz7W8mpN0E

— Hockey Fight History (@HistoryOfFights) September 20, 2026

Crickard, the former head coach and general manager of the Sea Dogs, took over as Broncos head coach and general manager during the off-season.

Beaulieu was a free agent invite to Broncos training camp. The overage forward was also named part of the team's leadership group for the 2026-27 season.

The Broncos don't play again until Friday when they face the Moose Jaw Warriors.

SATURDAY FIGHTS

The Sea Dogs and Newfoundland Regiment had two fights within the first few minutes of the second period on Saturday.

The first saw a couple of Newfoundlanders drop the gloves as soon-to-turn-17-year-old Benjamin Veitch took on 19-year-old Jabez Seymour. 

Soon after, Matyas Cancik, in just his second career QMJHL game, took on 19-year-old Ryan Dwyer.

Both games this weekend were physical at times – which is often the case against Gordie Dwyer teams. It will be interesting to see if the Sea Dogs continue to lean into that style against other opponents.

Notebook: Donovan invited to Habs rookie camp

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Alexander Donovan will attend Montreal Canadiens rookie camp.

The Canadiens announced their rookie camp roster last week. Donovan will attend as a free agent invite, joining former Sea Dogs defenseman Kale McCallum and goaltender Arseni Radkov.

According to a news release, the camp "will be held at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard and Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, from September 11-15. Habs prospects will play two games against the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators at the Slush Puppie Centre on September 12 and 13 as part of the 2026 NHL Prospect Challenge."

Donovan, 19, is entering his second season with the Sea Dogs. Last year, the Connecticut native recorded 25 goals and 28 assists in 63 regular season games. He had another goal and an assist in four playoff games.

COMING UP

The start of the QMJHL regular season is now less than two weeks away.

The Sea Dogs will open the year Sept. 18-19 with a pair of games in St. John's against the Newfoundland Regiment. Saint John went winless at Mary Brown's Centre last season.

Saint John will host the Moncton Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 25 in the team's home opener at TD Station.

Before all that though, the Sea Dogs have one pre-season game left to play. Saint John, 2-2-0-0 in exhibition play, will take on the Halifax Mooseheads, 4-1-0-0, on Friday at Dartmouth's RBC Centre. These two met last Friday in Saint John where Halifax posted a 7-3 win.

Notebook: Magnusson signs in BCHL

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Carl-Otto Magnusson has found a home for the 2026-27 season.

The overage defenseman has signed with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL. The move comes after Magnusson was not part of UConn's freshman class for this upcoming season.

“I’m really excited to join the Nanaimo Clippers and get to know all the guys, the town and the community,” said Magnusson in a news release. “I’m looking forward to getting over there, meeting everyone and competing with the team. I can’t wait to get started!”

The defensive defenseman was traded to Saint John from the Moncton Wildcats during the holiday trade period. Magnusson was held pointless in 25 regular season games with the Sea Dogs and in three playoff contests. He was listed as a healthy scratch for one of the Sea Dogs' post-season matches.

While eligible to play another season in the QMJHL, he would take up both an overage and import spots, something that doesn't happen too often.

REGIMENT CAMP IN SUMMERSIDE

The Newfoundland Regiment are holding the first portion of their training camp in Summerside.

The Regiment are using the Gerard "Turk" Gallant Arena, which is the secondary ice surface at Summerside's Credit Union Place. In attendance on Thursday was Gallant himself. 

The former Sea Dogs head coach was seen catching up with another former Sea Dogs head coach in Gordie Dwyer, the Regiment's bench boss and general manager.

The pride of Summerside 🤩

Jack Adams winner and local legend Gerard Gallant stopped by the rink this morning to take in some intrasquad action.

Unite. Inspire. Defend. pic.twitter.com/imzS74xhjB

— Newfoundland Regiment (@nlregiment) August 20, 2026

The Regiment will play a couple pre-season games in the Maritimes this weekend before shifting things to Newfoundland.

Notebook: Arkells comment on jersey choice

Arkells

Following quite a bit of feedback, the Arkells have responded to their unexpected wardrobe choice on Saturday night in Moncton.

Opening for the Jonas Brothers on the Université de Moncton campus, lead singer Max Kerman took to the stage wearing a Saint John Sea Dogs jersey – the same one he wore at Area 506 last year.

"Thought I was making friends in Moncton with the jersey. Oops. Great to see you all!," the band wrote in an Instagram post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by arkellsmusic (@arkellsmusic)

JOSEPH RANKED SIXTH

Sea Dogs forward Alexis Joseph was ranked sixth in The Athletic's pre-season rankings for the 2027 NHL Draft.

The pressure is certainly starting to heat up on Joseph as his second QMJHL season nears.

"He is a summer birthday, so with continued development he could profile as the kind of center teams covet as a cornerstone piece," writes Wheeler. "But you have to show it on the ice again and again, and he has left me wanting more a little too frequently. I thought about dropping him into Tier 3 here and will if he doesn't pick it up."

NHL.com had a story on Joseph during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Sea Dogs forward Jamie Glance, meanwhile, was ranked 22nd by The Athletic. Prospect Finnegan Sears was an honourable mention.

Notebook: Poirier signs in Germany

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Jeremie Poirier is heading overseas.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman has signed with Adler Mannheim of the DEL, Germany's highest level of professional hockey. The club announced the signing on Thursday.

The 24-year-old has spent his entire professional career in the AHL, mostly with the Calgary Wranglers. Poirier was traded to the Texas Stars this past season.

Adler verpflichten Jérémie Poirier ✍️

🔗 https://t.co/e8hZAUwENl

Der 24-jährige Kanadier wechselt aus der nordamerikanischen AHL in die @DELoffiziell und erhält bei den Adlern die Rückennummer 54.#AdlerMannheim #PENNYDEL #Eishockey #Hockey #DEL #Mannheim #MERC #Summer pic.twitter.com/t8ZnztYsCd

— Adler Mannheim (@adlermannheim) July 9, 2026

In 51 games split between the Wranglers and Stars in 2025-26, Poirier posted five goals and 11 assists. He leaves North America having recorded 22 goals and 90 assists in 214 regular season AHL games. He had another three goals and nine assists in 17 playoff contests.

Poirier was a third-round pick of the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft but never got into an NHL game. He spent four seasons with Saint John and helped the club win the 2022 Memorial Cup.

SPADAFORE SIGNS WITH FLAMES

Jordan Spadafore is returning to Saint John.

The former Sea Dogs defenseman has signed with the Saint John Flames of the Beausejour Senior Hockey League for the 2026-27 season, the club announced last week. 

The 25-year-old spent parts of two seasons with the Sea Dogs. He also played with the Rimouski Oceanic and Val-d'Or Foreurs during his QMJHL career.

Spadafore played a couple seasons at Nipissing University in North Bay before turning pro in 2023-24. He spent a season with the SPHL's Evansville Thunderbolts before signing with the Milton Keynes Lightning of the National Ice Hockey League, the second-tier of pro hockey in Great Britain. He has played the past two seasons overseas.

So far, along with Spadafore, the Flames will feature former Sea Dogs Nick Blagden, Zach Alchorn and Kiefer Lyons.

Notebook: Veleno gets first playoff point

Embed from Getty Images

Joe Veleno recorded his first career NHL playoff point on Sunday.

Veleno registered an assist on a Zachary Bolduc goal in the Montreal Canadiens' 6-2 Game 3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Veleno played 12:18 in the game and also recorded one shot and five hits.

What is this pass from Logan Stanley pic.twitter.com/y2LE7mKtMq

— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) May 11, 2026

Veleno has played in all four games for the Habs in their second round series against the Sabres. This is his first career appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Canadiens and Sabres are tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Thursday in Buffalo.

FLAMES SIGN ALCHORN

The Saint John Flames of the Beausejour Senior Hockey League have announced another signing with Sea Dogs connections.

Forward Zachary Alchorn will play for the team this fall. He was the second player to sign with the club after former Sea Dogs forward Nick Blagden.

According to Elite Prospects, Alchorn hasn't played competitive level hockey since the 2023-24 season when he appeared in 14 games with the Southern Senior Hockey League's River Valley Rock.

The Grand Bay-Westfield native spent most of his junior career with the St. Stephen Aces/Fredericton Red Wings franchise. He appeared in 16 games with the Sea Dogs during the COVID season of 2020-21, recording three goals and two assists. He added a goal and four assists in six playoff games.

Notebook: Murnieks scores with Latvian national team

Ansis Ancovs/Latvian Ice Hockey Federation

It's been an eventful year for Olivers Murnieks at the international level.

The Saint John Sea Dogs forward played for Latvia at this year's World Junior Championship and the recent U18 World Championship. Now he's joined the Latvian men's team ahead of the IIHF World Championship – and scored in his debut.

#SJSeaDogs forward Olivers Murnieks made his debut with the Latvian national team today ahead of the #MensWorlds and had a goal in a 3-2 win over Norway!#GoDogsGo pic.twitter.com/emhwY2rwll

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) May 6, 2026

Latvia won the friendly 3-2 in overtime against Norway. 

Latvia's first game of the men's worlds is May 16 against Switzerland. 

Murnieks posted a goal and five assists in seven games at the U18 worlds, a tournament that may have given his NHL Draft stock a boost, writes Daily Faceoff. 

FINAL BEGINS FRIDAY

The Gilles-Courteau Trophy final begins Friday night at Avenir Centre.

The Moncton Wildcats will try to become the first team since the 2011 and 2012 Saint John Sea Dogs to win back-to-back QMJHL championships. It won't be easy though as they'll be facing a Chicoutimi Sagueneens team that finished just one point behind them in the regular season standings.

Wildcats defenseman Max Vilen is the lone former Sea Dog playing in the series. Vilen, who is on Moncton's second defensive pairing, has two goals and six assists in 15 playoff games.

Game 1 is Friday followed by Game 2 on Saturday. The series shifts to Chicoutimi for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. All games will air on TSN.

Beausejour senior league coming to LBR

The Beausejour Senior Hockey League is coming to Saint John.

In a social media post on Sunday, it was announced that the "Saint John Flames" will be reborn and become a member of the popular senior circuit beginning this fall.

From the Saint John Flames Facebook page:

THE FLAMES ARE BACK 🔥 

Saint John hockey just got its identity back. We’re proud to announce the return of the Saint John Flames as the newest Sr. A team in the Beausejour Senior Hockey League. This isn’t just another team, this is history, culture, and community coming back to life in this city.

For generations, the Flames meant something here. Packed rinks, hard-nosed hockey, and a standard that never slipped. Now it’s our turn to bring that back and build something the city can rally behind again.

The team will play their home games at the Lord Beaverbrook Rink. A website has already been launched with an online merch store.

The BSHL has been steadily growing in popularity in recent years. This past season, the league ended its season with six teams: Amherst, Bouctouche, Dalhousie, Elsipogtog, Fredericton and Miramichi. The regular season began in mid-October and the playoffs ended in late March.

The league is loaded with former QMJHL players – including quite a few Saint John Sea Dogs alumni. Former Sea Dogs forward Ryan Tesink (Fredericton) and Dawson Stairs (Dalhousie) finished second and third, respectively, in league scoring.

The Flames will no doubt look to follow the same steps the Fredericton Express took this past season. Not only was the team very good on the ice, but the Express sold out most of their home games and had a real buzz around them. 

What does this mean for the Sea Dogs? While the Flames will likely build out their schedule to not overlap with Sea Dogs home games, this does give the Dogs some competition for the the attention and money of the city's hockey fans – and it's coming from just down the road at the LBR.

For Sea Dogs fans, this is likely a great thing. Fans get more hockey to watch (and, let's be brutally honest: hockey with fighting), former Sea Dogs will be in action frequently and it puts further pressure on the Dogs to put together a great product on and off the ice.

Notebook: Fullerton's impressive season

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Angelo Fullerton is ending his junior career on a high note.

The 20-year-old forward has scored nine goals in his past nine games to give him 25 of the season, which is currently the Saint John Sea Dogs team lead. He's also posted 18 assists in the 59 games he has appeared in.

Fullerton spent the previous three seasons with the Cape Breton Eagles, who he and the Sea Dogs will visit for a pair of games this weekend. His previous career high for points in a season was 16. His previous high for goals was nine.

The Quispamsis native has more goals and points this season than his previous three seasons combined.

He's offensive contributions have likely exceeded expectations. Fullerton attended Sea Dogs training camp on a loan from the Eagles and was later acquired for a sixth-round pick.

Fullerton and fellow overagers Julien Wasmer and Maxime Côté were honoured before Saint John's final regular season home game this past Saturday.

ATTENDANCE IS IN

Saint John's final attendance figures are in – and they're positive.

Saint John will finish the regular season with an average attendance of 3,273 fans per game, a significant increase over last season's average of 2,811. This is Saint John's best attendance figure since the 2019-20 season when the team averaged 3,345 fans per game.

The Sea Dogs currently own the sixth best average attendance in the QMJHL. They haven't finished higher than fifth since the 2021-22 season.

Saint John had two big home crowds to end the season. Announced attendance for last Friday's game was 5,093 while Saturday's was 6,150 – which was a sell out. The Saturday crowd was the largest since the 2017-18 season (6,165).

The team is inching closer to those pre-pandemic totals, which is good news.

Wranglers to wear Saint John Flames jerseys

The Saint John Sea Dogs won't be the only team honouring the Saint John Flames this season.

The AHL's Calgary Wranglers – the current AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames – announced Monday that they'll be wearing Saint John Flames jerseys for a pair of games next month in honour of the club's 2001 Calder Cup championship.

Rewind the tape🔥

On March 13th & 15th we’re throwing it back to 2001 and honouring the Saint John Flames!!

This jersey marks 25 years since that historic Calder Cup victory and celebrates 90 seasons of The AHL!!

🎟️ https://t.co/hhLkqdSXK6 pic.twitter.com/wYRe9qFP8E

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) February 23, 2026

The Sea Dogs held a Flames Night earlier this season at TD Station and wore a Flames styled jersey that had Sea Dogs colours.

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Sea Dogs wore Flames jerseys in 2011 as well, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Calder Cup title.

The Flames played in Saint John from 1993 until 2003 when they relocated to Omaha, Nebraska. The club moved to five cities after leaving Saint John before settling down in Calgary in 2022, where they play at Saddledome.

Oddly enough, it doesn't look like any former Sea Dogs will be suiting up for the Wranglers when they sport Flames gear. Yan Kuznetsov has spent most of the season with the NHL club while Calgary traded Jeremie Poirier to the Dallas Stars organization earlier this season.

Notebook: Rare 3-in-3 for Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs will play their only three-in-three of the entire season this weekend.

Traditionally, if the Sea Dogs were to be playing a three-in-three, it would likely take place on the road in Quebec. But times have changed. This three-in-three will be all home games with the third contest being played in a non-QMJHL venue.

The Sea Dogs will host the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday and the Cape Breton Eagles on Saturday with both of those games being played at TD Station. On Sunday, the Sea Dogs and Eagles will travel to Fredericton to play in the first regular season QMJHL game to take place in the city.

Tickets to Sunday's game are still available – but they are limited. 

The Sea Dogs will play three games at Fredericton's Aitken Centre this season. They'll also take on the Gatineau Olympiques on Thursday, Jan. 8 and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar on Sunday, Feb. 1.

NEW MASKS

Both Sea Dogs goaltenders recently debuted new masks, becoming the first netminders to sport the club's new logo.

Here's a look at Rafaël Courchesne's new mask. He had been wearing a green mask from his time with the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois.

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

And here's Justin Robinson's new look. He had been wearing his mask from last season which featured Saint John's 20th anniversary logo.

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

GUELPH LANDS MEMORIAL CUP

The Guelph Storm will host the 2027 Memorial Cup, the CHL announced last week.

The Storm have played in six Memorial Cup tournaments – most recently in 2019 in Halifax – and hosted the event in 2002. The Storm franchise has yet to win the trophy.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota to Guelph,” said CHL president Dan MacKenzie in a news release. “The Storm put forward an outstanding bid that showcased not only their organizational strength, but also the passion, vision, and community spirit that make the Royal City such a special junior hockey market. With the Memorial Cup returning to Guelph in the same year the city marks its bicentennial, fans can expect an unforgettable event that celebrates Guelph’s history and the tournament’s rich tradition, while providing a world-class experience for players, fans, and partners alike.”

Kelowna will host the 2026 Memorial Cup. The QMJHL will host in 2028.

Pass/fail: Sea Dogs' Flames Night jerseys

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - How did we feel about the look the Saint John Sea Dogs sported on Friday night?

The Sea Dogs wore a Saint John Flames styled jersey for Flames Night at TD Station. Rather than the usual Flames red, yellow and black, the jerseys were designed in the Sea Dogs' blue, grey and black.

The Sea Dogs have worn Flames retro jerseys before. In 2011, the Sea Dogs wore Flames jerseys to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the AHL team's 2001 Calder Cup championship. The team also skated through the Flames' inflatable dragon when they took to the ice that night and had some tribute videos.

Former Flames anthem singer Dan Joyce performed Oh Canada before Friday's contest. Some t-shirts were also available for purchase and TD gave away hats.

Flames Night at TD. Sea Dogs wearing Saint John Flames jerseys but with a blue twist. pic.twitter.com/6QGgCVJc56

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) November 21, 2025

This isn't the only time this season the Sea Dogs will be wearing AHL themed jerseys. For their Feb. 1 "home" game in Fredericton, the Sea Dogs will be wearing Fredericton Canadiens jerseys. 

Notebook: Back-to-back coming up

Mike Bernard/Charlottetown Islanders

After playing five straight games against Quebec teams, the Saint John Sea Dogs will get a major taste of the Maritimes coming up.

The Sea Dogs will play their next seven games against just three teams: they'll face the Moncton Wildcats three times and the Charlottetown Islanders and Cape Breton Eagles both twice.

Six of those seven games will be played at home (which includes the Nov. 30 game in Fredericton), a stretch that begins Thursday and Friday when the Sea Dogs host the Islanders and Wildcats, respectively. 

The Islanders sit first in the Eastern Conference but have been on a slide of late, going 4-5-0-1 in their past 10 games. They've played 23 games already, tying them for the most in the league.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, continue to struggle with consistency. They sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with most of their troubles coming on home ice. They're an impressive 8-2-1-0 away from Avenir Centre, which may not be good news for the Sea Dogs on Friday.

This is an oddly scheduled week for the Sea Dogs. They'll play Thursday and Friday night and then have both Saturday and Sunday off.

MONCTONIAN RECAP

A couple Sea Dogs prospects were in action at this year's Monctonian.

Forward Eliot Tozer, a 12th-round pick of the Sea Dogs in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft, finished with a goal and five assists in three games with the Saint John Vito's. Tozer, who is wearing an 'A' for the Vito's this season, finished in a tie for the team's scoring lead.

The Vito's went 2-1-0 at this year's tournament.

In 15 regular season games, Tozer has seven goals and six assists.

Goaltender Jase MacPherson and the Kensington Wild, meanwhile, went 2-0-1. MacPherson, a second-round pick of the Sea Dogs in this year's draft, went 1-0-1 with a 2.18 goals against average. Shots on goal were not recorded at the event.

In eight regular season games, MacPherson is 5-3 with a 2.96 GAA and .896 save percentage. He's also appeared in one game with the MHL's Summerside Western Capitals.

Notebook: Six Sea Dogs make Central Scouting's preliminary list

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Six Saint John Sea Dogs were named to NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The list was released on Oct. 20 and is "a compilation of draft-eligible prospects from all the major development leagues throughout North America and Europe."

Forward Olivers Murnieks was the highest rated Sea Dog with a B rating, which indicates a second- or third-round candidate.

Forwards Dylan Rozzi and William Yared; defenseman Cameron Chartrand; and goaltender Rafaël Courchesne all received a C rating, which indicates a fourth or fifth-round candidate.

Forward Zachary Morin, who was passed over in last year's NHL Draft, was given a W rating, indicating a sixth- or seventh-round candidate.

All six players took part in the recent QMJHL Prospects Game.

Former Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna, who is currently playing at Penn State, headlines this year's draft class. Also given an A rating, which indicates a first-round candidate, was Fredericton native Tynan Lawrence, who is playing his second season in the USHL.

COMING UP

The Sea Dogs are back on home ice this Sunday when they host the Moncton Wildcats at 3 p.m.

The Wildcats, oddly, have an entire week off to prepare for this matchup with Saint John. The Wildcats played this past Sunday, falling 5-2 to the Halifax Mooseheads, and don't play again until this Sunday.

Moncton is 6-4-2-0 this season and 4-1-1-0 on the road.

Sunday's game will be Saint John's final home contest until Nov. 15. They'll make their first trip to Quebec in between, visiting Rimouski (Nov. 6), Drummondville (Nov. 7) and Victoriaville (Nov. 9). 

Notebook: Hockey returns next weekend

The Sea Dogs return to pre-season action next weekend.

The team hosts the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday night at 7 p.m. The game will feature a packed house thanks to tickets being free of charge.

The following day, the Sea Dogs travel to PEI to face the Isles at 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre.

Saint John wraps up exhibition action on Saturday, Sept. 17 in North Sydney against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

The regular season begins on Sept. 23 in Charlottetown. The team’s home opener will be on Sept. 30 against the Screaming Eagles.

TOP PROSPECTS

The website Tout Est Espoir ranked the top 15 QMJHL players that are eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Coming in at No. 15 was Sea Dogs rookie goaltender Alex D’Orio. The 17-year-old spent last season with AAA Magog after being selected ninth overall by Saint John in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Victoriaville’s Maxime Comtois was the top ranked prospect. Charlottetown’s Pierre-Olivier Joseph, the brother of Saint John’s Mathieu Joseph, was ranked 12^th.

MATHIEU GETS A LETTER

After being sent back to midget AAA by the Sea Dogs, first-rounder Olivier Mathieu has been given an ‘A’ to wear with Magog.

Jordan Chabot est nommé capitaine des @LesCantonniers. O. Mathieu et I. Châteauneuf ses adjoints. Trois produits du hockey drummondvillois.

— Jonathan Habashi (@JonathanHabashi) September 2, 2016

FLAMES PRICES

Since a few people have been wondering what kind of ticket pricing scheme the Saint John Flames had in their final season, here it is, via the Wayback Machine: