DanSallows.com is probably the most underrated website in hockey right now. Swallows, a hockey scout, has unreal coverage of NHL prospects with very, very in depth coverage.
Last week, Sallows dove into the 2011 NHL Draft and listed his top 50 prospects. Included on the list, of course, were Jonathan Huberdeau (8th), Tomas Jurco (17th), and Nathan Beaulieu (34th). Surprisingly, rather than Zach Phillips binge placed on the list as the fourth Sea Dog, Ryan Tesink came in at 44th.
“Reminds me a little of Jonathan Toews on the ics, as he plays a very good complete game, and is a dependable two-way forward,” writes Sallows. “He can beat you all over the ice with his determination and smarts. Off to an incredible start with 3 goals and 9 points to go with a +10 rating after his first 4 games with the Sea Dogs.”
TURK ON ‘INSIDE THE Q’
Sea Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant was on the QMJHL radio program “Inside the Q” last week and can be heard on the Q website.
NO TIMETABLE FOR SAUVE’S RETURN
According to the QMI News Agency (via the Toronto Sun), there has been no timetable set for Yann Sauve’s return to the ice after being hit by a car in downtown Vancouver during Canucks rookie camp. It was later declared that the former/current Sea Dogs defenseman suffered a concussion.
“He has been riding a stationary bicycle to remain in game shape but has not yet been cleared to skate,” reported the agency last Thursday.
Sauve did not take part in any of Canucks main camp. He is expected to play with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose this season but is eligible to return to Saint John as a 20-year old.
SPORTSNET STUFF
Rogers Sportsnet junior hockey columnist Patrick King returned from his summer vacation, blessing us with an edition of “burning question” around the Canadian Hockey League.
“Which team will win the right to host the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup,” writes King in question two. “Shawinigan, Cape Breton, Halifax and Saint John each filed letters of intent to host the tournament. Each has something working in its favour with Saint John rumoured to have an inside track. The hosting rights will be awarded in April of this season.”
Speaking of the 2012 Memorial Cup bid, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles are going all out with their bid already.
Check out THIS FACEBOOK ALBUM for more pictures.
JURCO FINALLY GETTING NOTICED
Well, it’s about time.
Tomas Jurco’s amazing shootout from last season in Cape Breton is finally getting the attention that it deserves. As a result, there has no doubt been some buzz created over the Sea Dogs’ star sophomore Slovakian (trying saying that five times fast).
The article, posted on Yahoo! Sports’ junior hockey ‘Buzzing The Net’, already has 10 comments, 79 shares on Facebook, and 13 tweets on Twitter.
COUTURIER BEATS DOGS; WINS THIRD STAR OF THE WEEK
Sean Couturier recorded a goal and two assists in Drummondville’s epic 7-6 comeback win over Saint John on Saturday night at Marcel Dionne Centre, helping him earn the Telus third star of the week.
Moncton Wildcat twin brothers Allain and Alex Saulnier were named the first and second star, respectively, this week.
BACK IN BLACK
As we mentioned yesterday, the Halifax Mooseheads will be bringing back their black ‘Halifax’scripted jerseys after a year’s absence on Friday night when they host Saint John. Due to regulations set by Reebok and the CHL, no teams were allowed to wear third jerseys last season.
The first 2,500 fans at the Metro Centre will be given a “Back in Black” Mooseheads t-shirt.
BABY PENS CAMP
Former Sea Dog Nick Petersen appears to be having a solid training camp with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
“Nick Petersen didn’t stand out in NHL camp, but compared to AHL players today, he looked very skilled,” writes baby Pens reporter Jonathan Bombulie on his blog. “Good hands.”
The Penguins play their first pre-season game tonight against the Syracuse Crunch.
HOWES FIGHTIN’ WITH THOMAS
Former Sea Dogs sniper Scott Howes is looking to once again land a gig in the American Hockey League. After graduating from Saint John as an overager at the end of the 2007-08 season, Howes played in five games with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose before being demoted to the ECHL.
Now, Howes is fighting alongside Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas for a job on the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons. The Barons held their first scrimmage this afternoon.
Howes played with the East Coast Hockey League’s Victoria Salmon Kings last year, recording 12 goals and 14 assists in 47 games. He also helped score one of best goals of the year in Victoria. Along with it being TSN’s ‘highlight of the night’, the play has over one million views on YouTube.
LITTLE HOWES UPDATE
Scott Howes' little brother, Andrew, isn’t doing so well these days.
The Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs cut the former Sea Dog this morning. Howes, 20, made the team as a free agent invitee.
“The Toronto, ON native was a pleasant surprise, as he was able to remain with the team through the first weekend of their season after a strong training camp and exhibition schedule,” reports a team release. “Howes however did not dress for either of the IceDogs two regular season games over the weekend in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.”
PHILLIPS FEATURE
Bruins 2011 Draft Watch had a feature on Zach Phillips yesterday.
“He's got a nice shot and good puck skills, but makes his bones playing with hustle and energy and by going hard to the net," stated the blog. "His size isn't great (6-0, 180) but he's strong and well conditioned. He reminds me a little bit of Jared Knight in terms of style and substance and because he's a junior center who is more likely to play wing at the next level.”
QMJHL WEBSITE: CAUTION
Just a quick note on the QMJHL website and the colossal screw up it has become.
Nathan Beaulieu and Jonathan Huberdeau’s stats are messed up as well as the Sea Dogs’ active roster. Also, all Saint John Sunday home games start at 4:00 pm – not 3:00 pm like the site indicates.
Be sure to read the site with caution.
A FEW VIDEOS
Here a few videos that we have been meaning to post for sometime now:
Opening night intro:
Banner raising:
Former Sea Dog Pascal Amyot following loss in Saint John:
Photo Credits: Marc Henwood/Station Nation; Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Facebook page
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