SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

HOFFMAN IN PROSPECTS CORNER
Mike Hoffman’s hot play last weekend got him a mention on the Ottawa Senators website. Here is what they had to say on the overage Kitchener native.

“Forward Mike Hoffman (fifth round, 130th overall, 2009 draft) has been named the offensive player of the month for November in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Hoffman scored 10 goals, including four game-winners, as the Saint John Sea Dogs went a perfect 10-0-0 during the month. He totalled 20 points and had a plus-15 rating.”

KELLY’S SUCCESS NOTHING NEW
Mike Kelly can be credited for much of the success of the Sea Dogs this season. Although Jacques Beaulieu set the majority of it up, Kelly has looked like a genius with a strong draft and a great trade for goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas.

Before his time in the junior coaching ranks, Kelly spent time with the UNB hockey program as a player and coach. On Friday, he and many of the members of the 1983-84 Atlantic champion UNB Red Devils will mark the team’s 25th anniversary celebration.

“There'll be a lot of great stories to go around, I'm sure,'' said Kelly to the Daily Gleaner, who led the Red Devils in scoring that season with 31 points including 16 goals in the 24 games. Mike's brother, Jerry, was part of the coaching staff for that team along with MacAdam, Tom Coolen and Jim Dalton. Jerry was one of the most astute hockey people around. He has since passed on.

The article is a good read and you can click HERE to view it.

A HOT TICKET
Saint John’s January 3rd and 17th games are already a hot ticket. Thanks to realtor Scott Darling, the Sea Dogs won’t have to worry about selling any tickets in sections seven, eight, and nine.

''It's frustrating going to the games and seeing those sections empty,'' Darling said to the Telegraph-Journal. ''You can have 3,000 in the building but when those sections are empty, the building seems dead. We've got the number two team in the country and I don't think people realize how good the hockey is and what a good thing we have here.''

Darling plans to give the tickets away to Atom aged hockey players in the Saint John area.

''If people like what they see, they'll probably come back,” he said. Words like that make him my personal hero. A Station Nation salute to you sir.

To view the article written on Tuesday, click HERE.

ART TO BE DISPLAYED
Fans at Tuesday night's game in Moncton against Lewiston got their first look at the Art on Ice creations displayed on the Coliseum's Mezzanine floor. They were long and loud in the praise of the creativity of the elementary students at the five participating schools in District 2. The program, developed by District 2 Community Schools and supported by the Wildcats has 37 pieces of art with varying themes. The Art on Ice works will be displayed at the Coliseum at all home games including the big New Year's Eve game against the Saint John Sea Dogs. Some of the pieces will also be displayed in businesses in Downtown Moncton. There will be a silent auction for the Art work with the funds supporting various school programs.

MACLEAN INDEED INJURED
After hopping to the dressing room in the third period of Wednesday’s game, Rocket forward Brandon MacLean is out with a broken right foot. MacLean suffered the injury after blocking a Benjamin Lecomte shot during the Sea Dogs 4-1 win at the Charlottetown Civic Centre. According to The Guardian, he will be out until after the Christmas holiday break.

LFP: HOT DOGGIE
The London Free Press made reference to former head coach Jacques Beaulieu when talking about the Sea Dogs in the CHL Top 10 this week. Beaulieu is now an assistant coach with the Knights, who have battled with inconsistency this year in the heart of the junior hockey world.

“The Saint John Sea Dogs are ranked No. 2 in the Canadian Hockey League. They lead the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with a 26-4-1-0 record,” wrote the paper. The guy who made most of the moves to put that team together last year is London Knights' assistant coach Jacques Beaulieu, who was fired as coach and general manager of the Sea Dogs.”

THE WEEKEND
PRESS RELEASE - Saturday’s home game versus Gatineau has been designated both Teddy Bear Toss Night and Holiday Fun Night. Fans attending this match are invited to bring a stuffed animal with them to throw upon the ice when Saint John scores their first goal of the night. All toys will then be collected and donated to charity.

In honour of the Holiday Season, a truly festive atmosphere will engulf Harbour Station on Saturday as Christmas decorations galore will be set up throughout the arena. Meanwhile, Santa Claus himself will be flying down from the North Pole for the evening to cheer on the Sea Dogs as they look to extend their franchise-record wnning streak to 19 games in front of their home fans.

The seventh Family Fun Day of the season will be staged at Sunday’s afternoon contest against Lewiston, with special 4-for-40 ticket packages available for purchase. Fans are also invited to stick around after the action to meet some of their favourite players at a post-game autograph session near the main entrance/exit. A Kids’ Fun Zone will also be set up on the main concourse during the game for young fans to enjoy.