One Year Later: Revisiting the Sea Dogs’ 2025 Draft Class
As the 2026 QMJHL Draft approaches next week, the Saint John Sea Dogs currently hold two first-round picks: the fifth and 15th overall selections. Before looking ahead, let’s recap the Sea Dogs’ 2025 draft class and see how those players are developing.
Last year’s draft was crucial for the Sea Dogs. Entering the draft with the first overall selection, the organization’s first since 2019, director of scouting Nick Lepore and the scouting staff added a total of 11 prospects, including six players who appeared in at least one game for the Sea Dogs this season.
The Sea Dogs selected Lachenaie, Que. native Alexis Joseph with the first overall pick. The six-foot-five centre finished the season tied for second in team scoring with 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 54 games. In his first QMJHL playoffs, Joseph recorded three assists in four games and led the team in postseason scoring. He successfully translated his power-forward style of play from his time with Collège Esther-Blondin to the QMJHL, where he has already begun attracting attention ahead of the 2027 NHL Draft.
With the 10th overall selection, the Sea Dogs selected another centre, Nolann Héroux, from the Saint-Eustache Vikings. The pick was acquired from the Cape Breton Eagles in the deal that sent forward Cole Burbidge to Sydney during the 2023 off-season. Despite appearing in only 39 games this season, Héroux finished with three goals and 10 assists. The five-foot-nine Montreal native has consistently thrived in competitive environments, recording four goals in three games at Canada’s national under-17 development camp in 2025.
In the second round, Saint John selected goaltender Jase MacPherson from the Kensington Wild with the 29th overall pick. The Montague, P.E.I., native led the Wild to a PEI championship in the New Brunswick-PEI Major U18 Hockey League this season, posting a .903 save percentage and a 3.96 goals-against average.
Nine picks later, the Sea Dogs selected defenceman Everett Baldwin from the St. George’s School Dragons with the 38th overall selection. The six-foot, 182-pound Rhode Island native impressed during his first QMJHL season, finishing sixth on the team in scoring with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 62 games while leading the club with 176 shots on goal. Baldwin was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft and was one of three NHL prospects on the Sea Dogs’ 2025-26 roster.
In the fourth round, Saint John selected Jesse Dunlap with the 58th overall pick. The puck-moving offensive defenceman from Quispamsis appeared in two games with the team this season and spent the year with Rothesay Netherwood School, recording 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists) in 49 games finishing third on the team in points.
The Sea Dogs were active in the sixth round, selecting forwards Finnegan Sears and Cole Renaud, along with defenceman Oskar Drabczynski. Sears suited up for the U.S. National Team Development Program posting 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 55 games while Renaud lead the Saint-Hyancinthe Gaulois with 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) in 40 games.
Despite being a late round pick, Drabczynski appeared in 44 games for Saint John this season, recording two goals and eight assists while leading the team with a plus-10 rating.
From Rounds 10-12, Saint John selected defenceman Julien Lacroix from the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois along with centre Madison Bouchard of the Jonquière Élites and Saint John Vito’s forward Elliot Tozer.
The 2026 QMJHL Draft will be held June 5-6 at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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