NCAA could rule on CHL player eligibility this week

The hockey development ecosystem could be significantly altered this week.

As first reported by USCHO, legislation could be passed as early as this week that would allow players from the Canadian Hockey League to become eligible for the NCAA. Currently, the NCAA considers the CHL to be a professional league, making its players ineligible.

From USCHO:

The NCAA Division I Council is scheduled to take up a recommendation to adopt emergency legislation that would eliminate the prohibition on major junior players in NCAA hockey, according to a source. The council meets on Tuesday and Wednesday.

ESPN's John Buccigross also provides a clear and simple explanation of what's going on.

#CawlidgeHawkey/CHA update:

Commissioners had a meeting with Jenn Fraser (Managing Director of Division I)
this morning. The recommendation to the Division I Council is to consider emergency legislation in their meetings Oct 8-9 (tomorrow and Wednesday) in regard to two specific…

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) October 7, 2024

If the legislation passes, the rule change would likely take effect beginning next season. If that's the case, you can see why a player like Zachary Morin – who is committed to Boston University – may be enticed to make the move to the CHL.

There is a chance the NCAA pushes this decision down the road. This is all happening at a planned NCAA D-I council meeting, and they have more than a few thing$ on the go. But it seems everyone on both sides has begun to face facts: this rule change is happening, it's just a matter of when. 

The ramifications of this will be huge – and not just for the CHL and NCAA. What impact will this have on Canadian junior A hockey (especially leagues like the BCHL and AJHL) or the USHL? Will Canadian university hockey take a big hit? And the biggest question: where will hockey's top prospects choose to play?

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 3-2

FINAL: Bathurst 3, Saint John 2

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The winning streak is over.

The Saint John Sea Dogs fell 3-2 to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday afternoon at TD Station, ending their winning streak at four games. The Sea Dogs are now 4-3-0-0 on the season.

For a second straight game, the Sea Dogs healthy scratched a few veteran players. The team was without leading scoring Nate Tivey along with impactful offensive forwards Tyler Peddle and Eriks Mateiko – and their absences were felt with Saint John generating just 10 dangerous scoring chances in the game.

Olivier Duhamel and Darien Reynolds scored for Saint John. Charles-Edward Gravel made 22 saves and was named first star in the loss.

Saint John struggled to get much going in the opening frame, trailing 1-0 and getting outshot 12-5. The team rebounded early in the second with Duhamel scoring at 4:28 and then Reynolds converting at 11:28 to put Saint John in front, 2-1.

The Titan tied the game at 11:43 when Liam Arsenault was left all alone at the side of the net. Then, with 4.3 seconds left in the period, Dawson Sharkey ripped a shot over the shoulder of Gravel to put Bathurst in front, 3-2.

David-Alexandre Coulombe scored Bathurst's other goal. Mathis Langevin made 26 stops in the win.

Game Day 7: vs Titan

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs are on a serious roll.

The Sea Dogs won their fourth straight game last night at TD Station, defeating the Charlottetown Islanders 3-2. They did so with three veteran players being healthy scratches.

Saint John will put their winning streak on the line this afternoon against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. This is the second meeting of the season between the provincial rivals following a 6-3 Sea Dogs win in Bathurst on Thursday.

Game time today is 3 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2024-25 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-2-0-0 for eight points (second Maritimes/third Eastern/fifth QMJHL) while the Titan are 3-3-0-0 for five points (fourth Maritimes/seventh Eastern/12th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 home win over the Charlottetown Islanders last night. Nate Tivey, Eriks Mateiko and William Yared all scored for Saint John. Justin Robinson made 28 saves in the win. The Titan are coming off a 5-1 home loss to the Moncton Wildcats on Friday. Cory MacGillivray scored Bathurst's lone goal. Joshua Fleming made 22 saves in the loss.

Recap: Sea Dogs win 3-2

FINAL: Charlottetown 2, Saint John 3

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - There were a few nervous moments near the end, but the Saint John Sea Dogs hung on for their fourth straight win on Saturday night at TD Station.

Nate Tivey, Eriks Mateiko and William Yared all scored to lift the Sea Dogs to a 3-2 win over the Charlottetown Islanders  – their first of the season on home ice. Goaltender Justin Robinson had a strong performance – especially in the final minute – in the victory.

The Sea Dogs led 2-0 after one on goals from Tivey and Mateiko. Yared scored early in the second but the goal was called back due to a high stick. Shortly after at 5:47, Yared would score a legal goal, giving Saint John a commanding 3-0 advantage.

Charlottetown started to gain some momentum midway through the second and were rewarded when Nathan Leek got the road side on the board at 16:09. Matthew Butler scored at 11:42 of the third to cut Saint John's lead to one – but that would be as close as Charlottetown would get.

Robinson made 28 saves in a first star performance. Donald Hickey made 24 saves in the loss.

Perhaps most impressive is that the Sea Dogs earned this win with some key regulars out of the lineup. Veterans Nicolas Bilodeau, Matteo Mann and Jacob Beaulieu were all listed as healthy scratches while Benjamin Amyot remains out with an injury.

After an 0-2 start to the year, the Sea Dogs are now 4-2-0-0. It's still extremely early, but this is a positive start for this young Saint John squad.

Game Day 6: vs Islanders

SAINT JOHN - Can the Saint John Sea Dogs bring their road success to home ice?

The Sea Dogs enter play tonight on a three-game winning streak – with all of those wins coming on the road. Saint John is 0-2 at TD Station this season.

Saint John will look to earn their first home victory tonight when they host the Charlottetown Islanders at 7 p.m. It's the second meeting of the year between the two.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2024-25 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 3-2-0-0 for six points (third Maritimes/sixth Eastern/eighth QMJHL) while the Islanders are 2-3-0-1 for five points (fifth Maritimes/eighth Eastern/11th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-3 win in Bathurst on Thursday. Jacob Beaulieu scored twice while Tyler Peddle, Matteo Mann, Nate Tivey and Elliot Dubé added singles. Justin Robinson made 27 saves in the win. The Islanders are coming off a 6-4 home loss to the Quebec Remparts on Thursday. Nathan Leek and Alexis Michaud each scored a pair of goals for Charlottetown. Nicolas Ruccia and Donald Hickey split the loss in net.

Notebook: Stella responds to news

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Anthony Stella took to X on Friday afternoon, just a few hours after being relieved of his duties as Saint John Sea Dogs general manager.

Bitter sweet day today as I’ve been let go by the Sea Dogs. 11 years with this organization and I’ve grown so much and have countless memories. Thank you to the scouts who gave everything to building these teams. Thank you to all the players who have battled for the logo.

— Anthony Stella (@AnthonyStella_) October 4, 2024

The Sea Dogs made the move Friday morning, replacing Stella with head coach Travis Crickard. Crickard will handle both roles.

Stella had been the team's general manager since April 2023. He had been with the club since the 2014-15 season, steadily working his way up to the GM position.

One notable response to Stella's tweet came from one of the player's he assisted in drafting: defenseman William Villeneuve.

Good luck in the future Anthony, you are a real one. Excited to see what’s next for you. Take care

— William Villeneuve (@WilliamVillene9) October 4, 2024

BEVERIDGE BACK

After welcoming Matteo Mann back on Thursday, the Sea Dogs could soon be getting another key piece back in their lineup.

Kevin Barrett of Postmedia reports that forward Egan Beveridge will soon rejoin the team and will make his season debut in the near future.

Second year SJ Sea Dogs forward Egan Beveridge en route to the Port City and will be in town this weekend. Possibility he could play this weekend but his seasonal debut more than likely the following week. All could change.

— Kevin Barrett (@KevinBarrettNB) October 3, 2024

Beveridge did not take part in the team's training camp, staying home due to personal matters.

The 17-year-old forward recorded nine goals and 10 assists in 62 games with Saint John last year. The New Hampshire native was a second-round pick of the Sea Dogs in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Beveridge, along with the (likely) impending signing of Zachary Morin, will be huge additions to Saint John's offense.