December 16, 2011

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs have made a significant acquisition to bolster the lineup for the second half of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, announcing the signing of talented forward Charlie Coyle Friday. 

The 19-year-old from from East Weymouth, Mass., is expected to join the Sea Dogs after the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. He is currently with Team USA at its pre-tournament camp in Camrose, Alta.

Coyle represented his country at last year’s world juniors, tying for the team lead with six points in six games as the Americans captured a bronze medal on home ice in Buffalo, N.Y.

“Charlie is a world-class player for his age group,” said Mike Kelly, associate coach and director of hockey operations for the Sea Dogs. “We’re looking forward to getting to know him and we think he will fit in well on our team.”

Coyle’s acquisition gives the Sea Dogs four first-round NHL draft picks on their roster, joining forwards Zack Phillips and Jonathan Huberdeau and defenceman Nathan Beaulieu. The San Jose Sharks selected him 28^th overall in 2010, and later traded his rights to the Minnesota Wild. San Jose sent Coyle, forward Devin Setoguchi and a first-round pick at the 2011 draft to Minnesota for defenceman Brent Burns. Coincidentally, the Wild used that pick to select Phillips, also 28^th overall.

The six-foot-two, 207-pound Coyle played the past season and a half at Boston University. He recorded seven goals and 26 points in 37 games as a freshman and had three goals and 14 points in 16 games so far this season. Coyle remained academically eligible at BU and made the decision in order to focus on hockey.