THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Each Monday, Station Nation will have a feature called "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down". The feature will have the best, and the worst from the Sea Dogs, QMJHL, and CHL.

Thumbs Up...

• ... to Sea Dogs and Screaming Eagles medical staff on an outstanding job with the injured Ian Saab. The Eagles defenceman was later ruled with a concussion.


• ... to Stanislav Galiev for making the trip across the Atlantic even in the wake of a feud with the Moscow Dynamo.


• ... to Subway on sponsoring the Canada/Russia Challenge. "Super Series" is a big improvement.


• ... to the Sea Dogs for the return of the 07-08 french speaking public address announcer.

Thumbs Down...

• ... to the Moncton media on the lack of news surrounding Kirill Kabanov. He is rumored to be in New York and heading for Moncton.


• ... to the Sea Dogs front office for not having there schedules printed yet. Around 4,000 people have come through the Harbour Station doors for the pre-season. To bad none of them know when to return.


• ... to the QMJHL and Telus, who are rumored to be charging viewers for webcasts this season.


• ... to Moose Jaw city council and the Warriors for not getting a deal made for a new arena.


• ... this is old news, but thumbs down to the London Knights for changing one of the best logo's in hockey this summer.

Check out Station Nation next Monday for the next edition of "Thumbs Up-Thumbs Down."

QMJHL DAILY: CHALLENGE GETS NAME CHANGE

The ADT Canada-Russia challenge is no more. Subway has jumped on board and the challenge will now be known as the Subway Super Series.

The series will feature the same concept. According to the QMJHL website, the Russian national junior team will play two games a piece versus QMJHL, OHL, and WHL all-stars.

The challenge was hosted by Saint John for the first time last season. Cape Breton hosted the other game to represent the Quebec junior circuit.

Station Nation Fact: There have been five Sea Dogs to ever play in the challenge:

Alex Grant

Yann Sauve
Simon Despres
Chris DiDomenico

Steven Anthony

CANUCKS CAMP BEGINS SEPT. 7

Yann Sauve and Steven Anthony will be off to Vancouver next week for Vancouver Canucks 2009 prospects camp. Both players will be looking for an invite to main camp.

The Canucks roster and schedule for the prospects camp can be found HERE.

Sauve was drafted 41st overall in their 2008 NHL entry draft. Sauve had a disappointing season last year, registering five goals and thirty points in 61 games. He looks to take his game up a level under the new coaching staff. Sauve is widely known across the country for his fight in the 2008 CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects game. A fight that included 2008 first overall pick Steven Stamkos.

Steven Anthony was drafted in 12th and final round of last seasons draft. Anthony has not lived up to expectations in Saint John, but did however have a strong second half. He had some good chemistry with Sea Dogs forward Olivier Oullet.

Notes: I'm on the road currently and can't access all of file my pictures... Please ignore that the Canucks spelt Saint John wrong on Steven Anthony's profile.

27 REMAIN AT CAMP

Four more players have been released from Saint John Sea Dogs training camp. 27 players remain at the 2009 edition of training camp. Jared Kelly, Gino Goguen, Patrick Pettigrew, and Brandon McDonald have been released.

Jared Kelly, son of Sea Dogs Director of Hockey Operations, was the PEI junior leagues best goaltender last season. Kelly was a free agent invite less than a week ago and had a solid outing in Sydney last night, his only start.

Goguen, Pettigrew, and McDonald are all Sea Dogs draft picks. There rights will be kept by the team. Gogeun and McDonald will most likely play in the MJAHL this season. Cambellton and Yarmouth own the players rights, respectivly.

SAAB CONCUSED FOLLOWING HIT

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles defenceman Ian Saab received a concussion following Saturday nights game. Saab was well enough to go home with the team following Saturdays 6-3 Saint John win at Harbour Station. This according to today's Telegraph-Journal.

Saab, a fourth round pick of the Eagles, was expected to get a long look at Eagles camp. He is out indefinitely.

Following the hit by Sea Dogs tough guy Mike Thomas, Saab laid on the ice motionless for a few minutes. After about ten minutes of tests, Eagles and Sea Dogs officials ruled that he should be taken out on stretcher. He was placed in an ambulance, skates and all, that was in the Zamboni entrance and taken to hospital.

Image from: Telegraph-Journal

FINAL: Saint John 2 --- Cape Breton 3

Final Score

Saint John Sea Dogs- 2

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles- 3

The Sea Dogs young defence was the difference in this one as the Eagles registered 55 shots on goal in a 3-2 win. Jared Kelly had a strong debut in net, exiting during the second period and giving away to Gelinas. Gelinas gave up a goal on one of his first two shots faced. Saint John falls to 3-1 and Cape Breton improves to a .500 record of 2-2.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1. CAP - Maximilien Le Sieur (1) (Nick MacNeil, Michael Stinziani)
01:47

Second Period
2. SNB - Pierre Durepos (1) (no assist)
06:34
3. SNB - Tomas Jurco (2) (Olivier Ouellet, Danick Gauthier)
07:18

Third Period

4. CAP - Ashton Bernard (1) (Luke Adam, Victor Hertzberg)
00:47
5. CAP - Cory MacIntosh (2) (Justin Chiasson, Brad Tesink)
02:35

Goaltenders

SNB Gélinas, Marc-Antoine Kelly, Jared (at 10:27 per 2) (L-0-1-0)
CAP Roy, Olivier (W-1-0-0)

Shots on Goal

SNB
9+10+10=29
CAP
16+20+19=55

Powerplays

SNB: 0/7

CAP: 0/5

Attendance: 1,375

Three Stars:

1.CAP - Adam, Luke
2.CAP - Tesink, Brad
3.SNB - Ouellet, Olivier

Next Game: Lewiston MAINEiacs @ Saint John Sea Dogs. Tuesday, September.1, 2009 at Harbour Station at 7:00 pm.

stats provided by: http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=342374&id_partie=20870

PRE-GAME: Saint John Sea Dogs @ Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Game Day
Saint John Sea Dogs vs Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Centre 200
7:00 pm

Saint John Sea Dogs
3-0-0-0
Last game: 6-3 Win over Cape Breton yesterday at Harbour Station
Notes: This will be the first time Saint John plays in Cape Breton in pre-season action… Expected to play goal this evening, and make their Sea Dogs debut, are Marc-Antoine Gelinas and Jared Kelly.
Did you know: Jared Kelly is the son of Sea Dogs Director of Hockey Operations and Associate Coach Mike Kelly?

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
1-2-0-0
Last game: 6-3 loss against Saint John yesterday at Harbour Station
Notes: Ian Saab will not be in the line-up after leaving the ice on a stretcher last night… All-star goalie Olivier Roy is a probable starter for the Eagles.
Did you know: The first shutout and only road shutout in franchise history came in Cape Breton on October.30, 2005? A 2-0 win with Jason Churchill in goal.

Sea Dogs Line-Up

Beaulieu – Durepos

Sock – McEwan

Lecomte – Bourret

Langan – Kirkpatrick – Pard

Leduc – Huberdeau – Oke

Ouellet – Gauthier – Jurco

Kelly – MacAulay - Pettigrew

Marc-Antoine Gelinas*

Jared Kelly**

*expected starters

line-ups via: http://twitter.com/SeaDogsHockey

JOHNSTON YET TO REPORT

Will Johnston, who was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Junior a few weeks ago, has yet to sign with the Sea Dogs.

Johnston is known for his toughness and was one of the MJAHL's toughest players last season. He played with former Sea Dogs tough guy Brett Gallant in Summerside. The Summerside Capitals would go on to win the Fred Paige Cup.

Mike Kelly, a PEI native, told the Telegragh-Journal on Saturday that he will continue to talk to Johnston throughout the coming weeks leading into the season opener. He is not expected to arrive before the end of training camp.

Although unlikely, Johnston may not want to report after what happened to Jordan Knox in 2007. Knox, who was a leader in almost every offensive catagory in the MJAHL, was signed by the Sea Dogs as an overager. He, along with Francis Charland- brother of Kevin, were cut following trades to acquire Scott Howes and Alex Picard-Hooper.

Station Nation will keep you updated on the latest.

HERE is a Station Nation post from August.19 on the signing.

FINAL: Cape Breton 3 --- Saint John 6

2009 QMJHL Pre-Season
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles- 3
Saint John Sea Dogs- 6

The Saint John Sea Dogs improve to 3-0 on the pre-season schedule. Saint John blew it open in the third period and went on to win 6-3. Simon Despres was impressive in his debut with three assists. Mike Thomas was thrown out after hitting an Eagle into the boards from behind. Later ruled unintential, Ian Saab was taken out on a stretcher and taken to hospital. He is reportedly okay but confirmation has come out yet.

Scoring Summary

First Period
1. SNB - Steven Anthony (1) (Simon Després, Tomas Jurco) (pp)
04:59

Second Period
2. CAP - Taylor MacDougall (1) (Maximilien Le Sieur, Michael Ward) (pp)
05:16
3. SNB - Alexandre Leduc (1) (Nathan Beaulieu, Nicholas Petersen)
10:13
4. SNB - Patrick Pettigrew (1) (Simon Després, Zack Phillips)
11:48

Third Period
5. SNB - Tomas Jurco (2) (Robert McEwan, Jonathan Huberdeau)
00:27
6. SNB - Danick Gauthier (2) (Aidan Kelly, Nicholas Petersen)
01:27
7. SNB - Danick Gauthier (3) (Kevin Gagné, Simon Després) (pp)
04:43
8. CAP - Patrick Lapostolle (3) (no assist)
08:54
9. CAP - Maximilien Le Sieur (1) (Patrick Lapostolle)
14:11

Goaltenders
CAP Veronneau, Alexandre Holden, Christopher (at 09:22 per 2)
SNB St-Laurent, Karel Spear, Nicholas (at 00:00 per 3)

Shots on Goal
CAP: 14+5+7=26
SNB: 10+7+11=28

Power Play
CAP: 1/5
SNB: 2/5

Attendance: 2,116


Notes: The ice was very bad at Harbour Station last night... Simon Despres, Nathan Beaulieu, Nick Spear, Aiden Kelly, and Andrew Langan made there pre-season debuts... Ian Saab left the game on a stretcher in the first period afterb being hit by Mike Thomas... Saint John native Brad Tesink didn't help things, throwing a hurt Mike Thomas on top of Saab... Nick Spear made a classic rookie mistake, skating into the wrong net to satrt the third period.

Next Game: Sunday, March. 30, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Centre 200, Sydney, Nova Scotia.


Stats provided by: http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=342374&id_partie=20862

BIG WEEKEND AHEAD FOR SEA DOGS

When it comes to pre-season hockey, this weekend could have some of the best. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles fly into to town for a home-and-home with the Saint John Sea Dogs. The first game is tomorrow at 7:00 pm at Harbour Station. Game two is Sunday in Sydney.

The Sea Dogs have gotten there roster down to the final few cuts. According to Willy Palov on his Inside the Q column in the Chronicle-Herald today, the Eagles have there roster almost complete as well.

This weekend will be telling for both teams. With key NHL drafted veterans for both teams still with there respective junior teams, the level of play should pick up a lot more than last weekend versus Acadie-Bathurst.

The Eagles had there way with the Sea Dogs last season. That included a four game sweep in the opening round of Presidents Cup playoffs. The Sea Dogs will definitely want to get last seasons ugly playoff run out of there heads. The Eagles went on to lose to the Remparts in the next round.

Station Nation Facts: This will be the first time the two teams meet in the pre-season... Sundays game at Centre 200 was originally scheduled to be played at the Port Hawksbury Civic Centre in Port Hawksbury, Nova Scotia. The game was pushed to Centre 200 because the Civic Centre has no ice yet. Ice has become essential in hockey for some time now... This weekends games could have scheduling issues with Hurrican Danny approching Atlantic Canada.

Next Game: After playing the Eagles this weekend, the Sea Dogs take on the Lewiston MAINEiacs at Harbour Station on Tuesday evening. Wednesday the two teams play each other at Willie O'Ree Place in Fredericton. The game is a Lewiston home game and features many neat side stories that Station Nation will have posted next week.

TWO PLACED ON WAIVERS

Brandon McDonald and Clifford Mugford have been placed on waivers by the Saint John Sea Dogs. Teams have until 3.00 pm on Wednesday to claim the players.

Mugford was cut by the Sea Dogs after breaking his wrist at camp. McDonald had two fights in Saturdays 7-1 win over the Titan.

Also placed on waivers by the Drummondville Voltigeurs was former Sea Dog Andrew Howes. Howes is the younger brother of Scott Howes.

For the complete list from Metro Halifax click HERE

GALIEV GETS HIS VISA

After signing a contract with Saint John nearly a month ago, Stanislav Galiev with arrrive at Saint John Airport on Sunday. The Russion has gotten his visa and has gotten the okay to move to Saint John in time for the upcoming season. All of this according to saintjohnseadogs.com.

There is still one thing standing in his way and that is the IIHF. The IIHF must rule his rights now belong to Saint John, and not world famous Moscow Dynamo. Moscow has challenged his move to the CHL. Sea Dogs president Wayne Long calls it "surprising and disappointing."

Galiev will likely play on Tuesday and Wednesday versus Lewiston. Galiev joins Tomas Jurco as the other import in the Sea Dogs lineup.

The Sea Dogs selected the forward first overall in the 2009 CHL Import Draft. Many fans were dissapointed in the selection, letting highly touted Kiril Kabanov slip to seventh and be picked up by the rival Moncton Wildcats. Kabanov has yet to confirm that he will play in the CHL this season.

Galiev helped team Russia to a silver medal in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament. He had one goal and three points in four games.

Galiev played last season in Indina with the Ice.

Station Nation Fact: Although Galiev will likely play on Tuesday versus Lewiston at Harbour Station, Wednesday's game against the MAINEiacs will be played in Fredericton. The other Sea Dog to make his QMJHL pre-season debut in Fredericton, none other than Chris DiDomenico.

NEW GOALIE IN TOWN

Jared Kelly has been added to the Sea Dogs training camp roster. Kelly played last season in PEI with the Kensington Vipers and Sherwood Falcons of the IJHL.

The 18 year old netminder was the best goaltender in the IJHL last season. He had 2.70 GAA in 14 games played along with 0.921 save percentage and a 12-2 record.

The Sea Dogs recently released goaltender Richard Tingley from its roster. There are only two goaltenders on the Sea Dogs roster that have QMJHL experience. Karel St. Laurent and Marc-Antoine Gelinas both played last season with there respective teams.

It is an intriging move by the Sea Dogs with Gelinas and St Laurent expected to share crease duties this upcoming season. In 2007-08 the Sea Dogs kept three goaltenders all season, a plan that didn't show great genious after the season ended.

Travis Fullerton, Robert Mayer, and Troy Passingham all shared time in net. Passingham sat in his suit most nights that season and was not overly impressive. Passingham moved back to Ontario to play junior A after Karel St. Laurent stole the back-up job last season.

MOCK, TINGLEY RELEASED

The Saint John Sea Dogs have released two more players from there training camp roster. Forward Jordan Mock and goaltender Richard Tingley have both been released.

Details on each player:

Richard Tingley (May 13, 1993; 6’0”, 153 lbs.; Halifax, NS)

Jordan Mock (April 16, 1991; 5’10”, 160 lbs.; Dartmouth, NS)

STODDARD TRANSACTION COMPLETED

The Halifax Mooseheads have given Sain John a seventh round draft choice for 2010 in exchange for the rights to forward Matthew Stoddard. Stoddard has been on a conditional tryout with the Mooseheads.

Stoddard fell short of the expectations laid upon him as a second round pick in Saint John. Stoddard has been doing very well at Mooseheads camp and will be looked upon in a leadership role on the young Mooseheads team.

The Porter's Lake native will also be given much more ice time than in Saint John. He was cut from the Sea Dogs lineup last Christmas.

Stoddard has 7 goals and 22 points in 128 games with Saint John.

Fournier Cut

Vincent Fournier has been cut from the Sea Dogs training camp roster. Fournier played two games for Saint John last season and registered no points.

Week 2 Training Camp Schedule

Saint John Sea Dogs Director of Hockey Operations Mike Kelly announced on Monday the itinerary for Week Two of the team’s Season V Training Camp.

From Tuesday, August 25 - Friday, August 28, one group of Sea Dogs players will practice every morning from 11:00am – 12:15pm, with another squad skating from 12:30-1:45pm at Harbour Station. All practices are open to the public.

Training camp schedule press release from http://www.saintjohnseadogs.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=778&Itemid=1

Next Game: Saturday vs Cape Breton. 7:00 pm @ Harbour Station.

ERROR IN TODAYS PAPER

Don't be fooled by an advertisement in todays Telegraph-Journal City section.

The ad claims that the Sea Dogs play Acadie-Bathurst tonight at Harbour Station. That is false, and Station Nation believes that the wrong ad was placed in the newspaper as it is the same ad that was in Saturdays edition.

The Sea Dogs play Cape Breton on Saturday in Saint John at 7:00 pm.

RICHER TRADED

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Philip Richer has been traded to the Baie-Comeau Drakar in exchange for an eighth round pick in the 2010 QMJHL entry draft.

Richer played 45 total games for Saint John including 42 games in last seasons second half. He only has one goal and four points in his QMJHL career.

Richer was drafted in the fourth round, fifty-ninth overall in 2007 entry draft.

JUNIOR GOING LOCAL

Here is a story from the Montreal Gazette about how the Montreal Junior are going with local talent to draw in fans this season.

To view the story from the Montreal Gazette, click HERE

STATION NATION NOW ON TWITTER

The Station Nation blog can now bring you news even faster with the Station Nation Twitter page. Check in regularly for our tweets on score updates and breaking news from your Saint John Sea Dogs!

Our URL is www.twitter.com/station_nation

FINAL: Saint John 4---Bathurst 3

The Saint John Sea Dogs got there second straight victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and improved to 2-0. The Titan are now 0-2 on the season and have been outscored 10-3 in two games.

Alex Leduc scored the shootout winner in the third round. Scoring for Saint John in regulation was Kevin Gagne, Danick Gauthier, and Scott Oke. Nicholas Pard also had two goals.

Richard Tingley helped Nicholas Spear get the win in net, both playing 30 minutes.

Scoring Summary

Saint John 4-Acadie Bathurst 3

First Period
1. SNB - Kevin Gagné (1) (Nicholas Pard, Aidan Kelly)
01:37
2. SNB - Danick Gauthier (1) (Robert McEwan, Tyrone Sock)
12:20
3. BAT - Andrew Wigginton (1) (Jérémie Blain, Danick Malouin) (pp)
15:01

Second Period
4. BAT - Ilya Mashentsov (1) (Julien Tremblay, Taylor Lambke)
02:52
5. BAT - Patrick Jones (1) (Daniel Tanel, Andrew Wigginton)
16:41

Third Period

6. SNB - Scott Oke (1) (Nicholas Pard, Stephen MacAulay)
08:58

Overtime

None

Shootout

1. SNB - Danick Gauthier
against BAT - Anthony Mager-Dugas
Goal
1. BAT - Julien Tremblay
against SNB - Nicholas Spear
Goal

2. SNB - Nicholas Pard
against BAT - Anthony Mager-Dugas
Stopped
2. BAT - Bryce Milson
against SNB - Nicholas Spear
Stopped

3. SNB - Alexandre Leduc
against BAT - Anthony Mager-Dugas
Goal
3. BAT - Taylor Lambke
against SNB - Nicholas Spear
Stopped

Shots on Goal

SNB: 14+9+8=31
BAT: 7+10+7=24

Power Play

SNB: 0/8
BAT: 1/8

Attendance: 1,112

Stats provided by http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=342374&id_partie=20852

TRADES COMPLETED

Marc-Antoine Gelinas is the newest member of the Saint John Sea Dogs. The Sea Dogs completed the rumored trade this afternoon. In exchange for the 20 year old netminder, the Sea Dogs send a conditional draft pick to Gatineau, rumored to be a fifth rounder.

More trades will have to follow if Nick Peterson and Mike Hoffman return to junior from there respective NHL camps. With each team only allowed to carry three 20 year olds, someone is the odd man out. Alex Leduc is the other overager.

The trade deadline ends at midnight tonight. Teams are still allowed to trade overages following tonights deadline.

Dogs Trade Giroux
The Sea Dogs also traded goaltending prospect Simon Giroux to Baie-Comeau in exchange for a second round pick in next years (2010) QMJHL entry draft. Giroux came over from Drummondville last season in the Chris DiDomenico trade. He played Quebec midget triple A last season.

Doiron Released
Cody Doiron, a free agent invite from Ontario, has been released and taken off of the Sea Dogs training camp roster.

Training camp continues tomorrow following todays game vs Acadie-Bathurst. The Sea Dogs next home game is this coming Saturday vs Cape Breton.

TRADE RUMOR: Gelinas coming to Saint John

Reports out of Saint John and Gatineau are saying the Sea Dogs have acquired the rights to former PEI Rocket netminder Marc-Antoine Gelinas in exchange for an eighth or fifth round pick.

Gelinas brings along experienceto a young goaltending squad led by last seasons backup Karel St-Laurent. Gelinas is known for being inconsistent.

No official announcement has been made yet.

It is also reported that defenseman Nathan Bealieau has broken a bone in his foot following Fridays intra-squad game. Check out Station ntaion for the latest.

QMJHL DAILY: Bill ruining pre-season

Huricane Bill is putting a damper on the the QMJHL's pre-season. With severe weather across Atlantic Canada the tilt between the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Moncton Wildcats was cancelled yeterday and will be made up on Tuesday. The PEI Rocket vs Halifax Mooseheads will be scheduled later this week.

For the latest on scheduling vist http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/ and visit the QMJHL's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/qmjhl_news

GAME DAY: Sea Dogs vs Titan

Today @ 4:00 pm
KC Irving Regional Center

Saint John Sea Dogs vs Acadie-Bathurst Titan

Saint John Sea Dogs
Pre-Season record: 1-0-0-0
Goals for: 7
Goals against: 1

Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Pre-Season record: 0-1-0-0
Goals for: 1
Goals against: 7

Notes: This will be a rematch of yesterdays game in Saint John... This will be the first home game for the Titan this season... expect to see a line-up filled with Bathurst veterans and Sea Dogs rookies.

For score updates got to www.lhjmq.qc.ca

FINAL: Bathurst 1---Saint John 7

The Sea Dogs laid a beating on a young Titan squad winning 7-1 in front of over 1,900 fans at Harbour Station.

The Sea Dogs got off to a strong start by getting 29 shots on the Titan netminder in the first period alone.

Olivier Oullet and Nick Peterson had a pair of goals each.

Bruce Hornbrook of the Titan opened the scoring on a beautiful deke to get it by Karel St. Laurent. Guillaume Nadeau was sensational in goal.

Brandon McDonald was trying to prove he desereved to make the team with a pair of fights, including a staged fight right outside the penalty box doors.

Notes: The Sea Dogs recieved a delay of game penalty to start the third period when they entered the ice late... the Titan played mostly rookies in the game... The Titan were a jersey short and backup goalie Anthany Mager-Dugas had to wear a practice jersey on the bench... The Sea Dogs travel to Bathurst today to face the Titan... expect a line-up of Sea Dogs rookies.

MORE CUTS MADE AT DOGS CAMP

The following players have been cut from the Sea Dogs training camp roster:

Michael Andrews, Forward
Dylan Brake, Defence
Joseph Manno, Forward
Clifford Mugford, Forward
Steve Wakeham, Forward
Stephen Walker, Forward

NEXT CUTS COULD COME TODAY

According to this mprnings Telegragh-Journal, the next round of cuts could come this morning. For all of the latest news follow the Sea Dogs on Twitter and check out the News 88.9 locla news section.

Visit www.twitter.com/seadogshockey

Vist http://www.news889.com/

QMJHL DAILY: Twins light up Eagles

The rookie Moncton Wildcats gave the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles a 7-2 beating last night at the 4-plex. But of note, the Saulnier twins combined for eight points on the evening! Allain Saulnier had four goals, all assisted by his twin brother Alex. Very cool!

To view the box score click HERE

PRE-GAME: Titan vs Sea Dogs

Tonight @ 7:00 pm

Harbour Station

Admission: $8.00

Acadie-Bathurst Titan VS Saint John Sea Dogs

Acadie Bathurst Titan

Pre-Season Record: 0-0-0-0

08-09 Season: 20-35-7-6 (5th in Atlantic Division)

Saint John Sea Dogs

Pre-Season Record: 0-0-0-0

Last Season: 34-30-2-2 (3rd in Atlantic Division)

Notes:

-Expect to see a lot of rookies in both teams line-ups this evening

-There is a good chance Tomas Jurco of the Sea Dogs who arrived in Saint John only on Thursday from Europe will be a scratch

Did you know?

The Titan ended last season on a 13 game losing streak.

WANT THE LATEST NEWS?

The pre-season is a difficult time to get the latest on rosters and statistics with teams not in regular season form. Be sure to visit the Saint John Sea Dogs Twitter page and the QMJHL news page. Links below...

Sea Dogs official Twitter page: http://twitter.com/SeaDogsHockey

QMJHL official Twitter page: http://twitter.com/QMJHL_News

Metro Halifax official Twiiter page: http://twitter.com/metroqfiles

GAME DAY: Blue VS White Intra-Squad

Game Day

Intra-Squad: Blue VS White

Tonight @ Harbour Station

7:00 pm

Admission is a non-perishable food item for Romero House

For rosters see todays Telegragh-Journal sports

For the latest updates and roster changes check out the www.twitter.com/seadogshockey

STODDARD FINDS NEW LIFE

It was a bit surprising last season to see Matthew Stoddard cut from the Sea Dogs half way through the season. Here is an update on Stoddard and his new life with the rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads.

Click HERE to see Metro Halifax's story on Stoddard.

Image from David Connell's Web Album

MAINEIACS BACK, WITH PLANS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE

Wondering how the Lewiston MAINEiacs are doing these days? Here a story in todays Portland Press Herald about how the MAINEiacs are changing for the better.

Click HERE to view the story from the Press Herald.

FIRST CUTS MADE

12 players were cut this afternoon from Sea Dogs training camp. All were free agent invites except for former Saint John Vito Michael Richard.

Zack Cahill, Forward

Nicholas Cyr, Forward

Dylan DesMeules, Forward

Jared Ferguson, Defence

Jesse Hebscher, Defence

Joseph Jackson, Defence

Kevin Jackson, Defence

Cody Kennedy, Defence

Josh Leblanc, Forward

Michael Richard, Forward

Andrew Schriver, Defence

Alex Zafiris, Forward

The remaining players will be split into two squads and will scrimage this evening at 6:00 pm at Harbour Station. All practices and scrimages are open to the public.

DOGS "WILL" HAVE TOUGH GUY

The Sea Dogs hve acquired Will Johnston from the Montreal Junior in exchange for a twelfth round draft choice next season.

Johnston, 18, is known for fists than for his play. He was a teamate of former Sea Dogs tough guy Brett Gallant last season. Both helped Summerside capture the MJAHL crown last season. Many Youtube videos have been posted of his impresive fights.

The move is most likely involved with head coach Gerard Gallant, known for his toughness in his NHL days. Johnston will take a lot of pressure off of Mike Thomas, who is expected to have a more offensive upside to his game this season.

To see Will Johntson's stas click here

To see a full story on todays trade from saintjohnseadogs.com click here

THE HUB SIGNS UP

After a long summer of silence, Jonathan Huberdeau (left) has signed a contract with the Sea Dogs (terms were not disclosed). Huberdeau was selected with the 18th overall selection in the 2009 QMJHL entry draft. The selection came to Saint John in the Chris DiDomenico trade. It was believed he was waiting to sign a contract to allow him to keep his NCAA eligibility, which can no longer be credited after 48 hours in training camp. Neil Hodge of the Moncton Times & Transcript draft preview that Huberdeau is a "very marketable player", something the Sea Dogs could use with Alex Grant gone. The signing only increases the log jam for forward positions, but does give some security about scoring with Hoffman and Peterson (right) in limbo.

Saint John Sea Dogs Director of Hockey Operations Mike Kelly announced on Tuesday that 16-year old forward Jonathan Huberdeau has signed with the team. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Click here for the full story from saintjohnseadogs.com

above photo from saintjohnseadogs.com

PRE-SEASON HOME SCHEDULE

Sea Dogs vs Titan on Saturday, August 22 @ 7:00 pm
Sea Dogs vs Screaming Eagles on Saturday, August 28 @ 7:00 pm
Sea Dogs vs MAINEiacs on Tuesday, September 4 @ 7:00 pm

This Season on the Station Nation Blog

Station Nation will be bringing you a pre-game like none other with stats, stats, and more stats this coming season. Station Nation has spent all summer putting together a Saint John Sea Dogs history and records guide so you now every stat before every game!

Training Camp Opens Today

2009-10 Saint John Sea Dogs training camp opened this morning at Harbour Station. Notably absent was forward Kyle Dilosa, who did not show up for registration on Sunday according to the Sea Dogs Twitter page.

All practices and scrimages are open to the public. The Sea Dogs open the pre-season Friday versus Bathurst. Game time 7:00 pm.

Station Nation will have a pre-game preview on Saturday.