Ex-Sea Dog makes NHL debut
It’s been a good week for some former and current Saint John Sea Dogs.
Beginning with a former player, defenceman William Villeneuve finally made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night against the Florida Panthers.
With his debut, Villeneuve is the 22nd former Sea Dogs player to skate in the NHL.
In two games with the big club, Villeneuve has yet to record his first NHL point.
Villeneuve was a fourth-round pick of the Maple Leafs in 2020, and a big part of the Sea Dogs Memorial Cup championship team in 2022.
He’s been a solid producer for the Leafs’ farm team, the Toronto Marlies, this season.
In 59 games, he has three goals and 26 assists.
With the Leafs out of the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and with big changes to the roster expected this offseason, Villeneuve is likely getting an early audition for a permanent spot on the roster for the 2026-27 season.
Turning to current players, defenceman Cameron Chartrand and forward Alexis Joseph have been named to Hockey Canada’s pre-tournament camp roster ahead of the IIHF U-18 Men’s World Championship in Slovakia.
Chartrand notched seven points in 35 games this season, adding one assist in the playoffs.
Joseph finished the year with 24 goals and 36 assists in 54 games, plus three assists in the playoffs.
The U18 tournament begins April 22 with games in Bratislava and Trencin, Slovakia.
A release from Hockey Canada said additions to the roster are expected following the end of the second round of CHL playoffs.
