January 8, 2013,

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs have announced the signing and return of Maxime Villemaire.

Villemaire, now 20 years old, was acquired from the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Jan. 3, 2012 for a 2^nd-round pick in the 2012 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League entry draft and a 6^th-round pick in the upcoming 2013 draft.

The Ste. Catherine, QC native played 16 games with the Sea Dogs in 2012, scoring eight times and adding three assists. He brings some sandpaper and grit to the Sea Dogs, having racked up 43 penalty minutes in the stint with the Sea Dogs. In 13 post-season games, Villemaire set up three goals and added another 27 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Villemaire signed an American Hockey League contract with the Portland Pirates in September, but has spent the 2012-13 season with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League. In 15 games with Gwinnett, Villemaire had one assist and 43 penalty minutes.

Villemaire will make his Harbour Station debut on Jan. 19 when the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles come to town. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, online at tickets.harbourstation.ca or by calling 657-1234.