New additions, returning core lead Sea Dogs into 2026-27
A new season has brought new expectations to Saint John.
After a young Sea Dogs team took strides throughout the 2025-26 season, Saint John entered the new campaign looking to build on that progress with a revamped roster, a new head coach and a returning young core ready to take another step forward.
A busy offseason brought 12 new players to Saint John as the Sea Dogs reshaped their roster for the 2026-27 season. Among the new faces are high-end prospects, proven QMJHL players and two European forwards selected in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.
One of the most anticipated additions is winger Jamie Glance, who arrived in Saint John following two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Glance led the USNTDP U18 team with 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists) in 62 games last season and is a highly regarded prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft.
Glance has made an early impact with his new team, recording three points through his first four QMJHL games.
The Sea Dogs also added experience through the trade market, acquiring forwards Ryan Howard and Olivier Lemieux, along with defencemen Julien Lanthier, Brandon Delarosbil and Thomas Charbonneau. Howard and Charbonneau were both acquired as part of a wild draft-night trade with the Quebec Remparts.
Saint John also welcomed two talented European forwards in Matyáš Čančík and Oliver Ozogany, selected 14th and 44th overall, respectively, in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.
Čančík has quickly made his presence felt, leading the Sea Dogs with four assists through four games. Ozogany reached a milestone of his own Saturday, scoring his first QMJHL goal against the Cape Breton Eagles.
A YOUNG CORE RETURNS
While there are plenty of new faces in Saint John, much of the young core that drove the Sea Dogs’ offence a season ago is back.
Dylan Rozzi has led the way early. After recording 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) last season, Rozzi has opened the new campaign with four goals and six points through four games to lead the team in both categories.
Alexis Joseph, the first overall pick in the 2025 QMJHL Draft, is coming off a 60-point rookie season and has four points through his first four games this year. The 17-year-old is also a highly regarded prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft.
Alex Donovan has matched Joseph’s point-per-game start with four points in four games after recording 53 points as a rookie last season.
Captain Olivier Groulx also returns for his fourth QMJHL season after leading Saint John with 66 points last year, while Cameron Chartrand and Olivier Duhamel are among the returning pieces on the blue line.
NEW LOOK IN GOAL
Saint John has a new face between the pipes following the offseason acquisition of Samuel Meloche from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
The 19-year-old Buffalo Sabres prospect appeared in 50 games last season, posting a 33-13-3 record with an .897 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average. He also brings significant postseason experience, having appeared in 30 playoff games over the past two seasons.
Rafaël Courchesne returns for his second season with the Sea Dogs after appearing in 38 games in 2025-26.
HULTON TAKES THE REINS
The changes extend behind the bench, where Jim Hulton has taken over as the 13th head coach in franchise history.
Hulton, who arrived in Saint John after spending 11 seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders, is a two-time QMJHL Coach of the Year and was the recipient of the CHL’s Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award in 2022.
He will also return to the international stage this winter as an assistant coach with Canada at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta. It will mark Hulton’s fourth time behind the bench with Canada at the World Juniors after previously serving as an assistant coach in 2004, 2005 and 2019.
With four games now in the books, the new-look Sea Dogs are beginning to take shape. Rozzi leads the way offensively, while returning young players and several offseason additions have made early contributions.
Saint John returns to TD Station on Sunday afternoon when the Halifax Mooseheads visit for a 3 p.m. puck drop. Tickets are available online at tickets.sjseadogs.com.
—
Season Ticket Memberships, No Frills Season Value Passes, and 32-Game Flex Packs are on sale NOW for the 2026-27 season. Visit tickets.sjseadogs.com or email [email protected] to secure your seats today.
—
For the latest Sea Dogs news, follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/sjseadogs), X (@SJSeaDogs), and Instagram (@SJSeaDogs).
