Eriks Mateiko is on the move in the QMJHL after his very impressive five-game stint in the 2025 World Juniors.
Mateiko, a third-round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft, was dealt by the Saint John Sea Dogs to the Rimouski Océanic in exchange for four QMJHL draft picks, including a third-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a fifth-round pick.
According to hockey insider Jeff Marek, the trade will be finalized at the QMJHL draft, where the four picks will be dealt in exchange for two first-round draft selections. Rimouski does not officially have those first-round selections yet, hence the delay.
#TransactionLHJMQ 🔄@SJSeaDogs
➡️ Rimouski : Eriks Mateiko (2005-11-18)@oceanicrimouski
➡️ Saint John : 3e ronde 2026, 4e ronde 2026, 4e ronde 2026 (SNB), 5e ronde 2026 pic.twitter.com/IfsF6MATyR— LHJMQ (@LHJMQ) January 6, 2025
Mateiko starred at the World Juniors for an overachieving Latvian team. He helped lead his nation to only their third and fourth-ever win at the tournament, including a major upset against Team Canada, where Mateiko scored the game-winning shootout goal.
Mateiko’s five goals in five games are the second-most in one World Juniors ever by a Latvian player. The 19-year-old forward was leading the tournament in goals when Latvia was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden. His performance was good enough to earn a mention from Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery during a post-practice press conference on Sunday.
The 19-year-old winger served as Saint John’s captain this season after being an alternate captain last year. In 23 games for the Sea Dogs, he has recorded 19 points (14g, 5a).
Saint John has struggled this season, sitting eighth out of 10 teams in the QMJHL’s Eastern Conference with a 16-20 record. Rimouski, Sidney Crosby’s former junior team, is a contender in the league this year, posting a 24-10-2 record through 36 games.
“While it is a very sad day to see Eriks leave Saint John, we are genuinely happy for him that he will get to add to his ever growing resume by getting the chance to compete for the Memorial Cup,” Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Travis Crickard said in a statement. “It is extremely difficult to lose the captain of our team for the second half and the final stretch of his junior career. However, when the dust settles from this trade fans will see how important this transaction will be for the future of our program. We love Moose and we’ll miss him.”
Rimouski is guaranteed a spot in this year’s Memorial Cup after winning the right to host the tournament in December 2023. The three QMJHL, OHL, and WHL champions will join them.
Mateiko will return to Saint John with Rimouski on January 24.
