SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

DIDOMENICO’S RETURN
Drummondville Voltigeurs general manager Dominic Ricard has confirmed that former Sea Dog superstar Chris DiDomenico will be arriving is Drummondville in the coming days.

"DiDomenico could not fly on Sunday because of an appointment that was scheduled at the last minute,” Ricard told L’Express. “(Toronto Maple) Leafs doctors met with him before his departure. He will however be in Drummondville next week. Hopefully he will be able to make his return to the game in mid-February.”

In order to make room for DiDomenico, The Volts acquired defenseman Rémi Blanchard (90-06-27) from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for Ryan McKiernan (89-07-27), a third round pick in 2010 and a second round pick in 2011.

Saint John does not play Drummondville again this year pending a possible playoff matchup. Drummondville has been extremely active on the trade front and have a good chance at repeating as league champions.

POLL RESULTS
This week’s Station Nation poll results were by far the most interesting we have ever seen. The question was, “can the Sea Dogs win the division without making any other trades?”

The results were a dominating “yes they can” in the first few days. But then Moncton came along with all of their deals, then the rumors about Jake Allen and Alex Wall to Cape Breton (which are not true) began. The Sea Dogs, who appear to have had their phones disconnected, stood back and watched.

It seemed the final straw was Thursday’s shootout win over Moncton with the Cats missing nine regular players. The results turned in the other direction with “no, they can’t win the division without making any other trades,” winning 14-13.

OUELLET REPORTS TO SHAWINIGAN
According to the Telegraph-Journal, Olivier Ouellet has indeed reported to the Shawinigan Cataractes.

Ouellet, who left the Sea Dogs for personal reasons, was traded to Shawinigan on December 21 with a sixth round draft pick for a fifth round draft choice in 2010.

He will know join Marc-Antoine Gelinas in Shawinigan as former Sea Dogs now playing for the Cataractes. They play at Harbour Station on February 20.

FLEABURN DOMINATION
As the old saying goes, “he beat you fair and square.”

After a controversial first challenge at Harbour Station, Wild Willie lost to Fleaburn on home ice last Thursday, giving the Sea Dogs mascot the Rivalry Cup contest sweep.

Fleaburn, who was battling sickness according to is popular Facebook page, defeated Willie rather easily in an entertaining contest at the Moncton Coliseum.

"I don't know what that thing is that Moncton has for a mascot,"' said Sea Dogs President Wayne Long to the Times & Transcript. "I think Wild whatever-his-name-is has an identity crisis. He needs some counseling."

Speaking of Moncton mascots, whatever happened to Fur ball?

BUSY SCHEDULE
After being off since last Thursday, the Sea Dogs kick off a tough three game, four day home stand.

The Sea Dogs host the Moncton Wildcats tomorrow as this game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, Jan. 2 but was postponed due to inclement weather in southern New Brunswick. Fans may still use their tickets as they are printed on Wednesday at Harbour Station.

Cape Breton is in town on Friday night and Montreal on Saturday. Fans listen to each game on News 88.9 FM. Station Nation will have all your pre-game coverage.

READY TO UNLOAD?
If the Saint John Sea Dogs are having trouble finding players to acquire during the trading period, Patrick Roy could be the answer.

According to Willy Palov of the Halifax Chronicle Herald, the Quebec Remparts could be unloading.

“Elsewhere in the league, it appears the Quebec Remparts may unload some of their top veterans rather than try to load up for a run at a league title,” said Palov. “It seems head coach/GM Patrick Roy is leaning towards reloading for next year after his bid to land star goalie Jake Allen fell through last week.

“Among the players that could be on the block are Kelsey Tessier, Peter Delmas, Danick Paquette, Alexandre Neron and Samuel Groulx. The Moncton Wildcats are rumoured to be the front-runner for Tessier and perhaps one of Quebec’s defencemen, with rugged 16-year-old blueliner Dillon Donnelly the player most likely to be used as bait.”

After the Sea Dogs defeated the Quebec Remparts 6-4 at Harbour Station earlier this season, Roy sounded like he needed some anti-depressant medication because he was so sad over his teams loss.

READY TO RIOT
Saint John fans sound like they could be ready to riot Harbour Station if director of hockey operations Mike Kelly doesn’t make a move soon.

It’s gotten so desperate that even thoughts of Boston College star Chris Kreider joining the team after the World Juniors have began. That’s what happens when the trade period is so dry, hallucinations begin.

To frustrate fans even more, Nicolas Deschamps and Remi Blanchard have both confirmed that Saint John made offers but lost both.

The deadline wraps up on Thursday afternoon at 1:00 pm.

THREE DOGS GIVEN CONSIDERATION
Three Saint John Sea Dogs were nominated for the QMJHL’s player of the month awards for December.

Mike Hoffman was given offensive consideration, Nathan Beaulieu was given defensive consideration, and Stanislav Galiev was given rookie consideration. Hoffman and Galiev both won their categories last month.

Sean Couturier of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the award-winner on offence, David Savard of the Moncton Wildcats gets the hardware on defense, and Marek Hrivik gets the nod among the rookies.