UPDATE: SEA DOGS AT NHL ROOKIE CAMPS

Here are some late Tuesday evening observations on Saint John Sea Dogs participating in NHL Rookie Camps. A few are playing games tonight so we’ll try and post updates on those happenings tomorrow.

If you spot any Sea Dog Rookie Camp news in the interweb, email us at stationnation@yahoo.ca.

MIKE THOMAS, EDMONTON OILERS
According to the Edmonton Oilers website, Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas will be in the lineup tonight for Edmonton when they face Calgary Flames at 11:30 pm ADT.

He is listed on a line with Phillipe Cornet and Ryan Martindale.

MIKE HOFFMAN, OTTAWA SENATORS
As we write this, Mike Hoffman is playing for the Ottawa Senators against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It will be the last game of the London, Ontario mini-tournament.

Although Hoffman has impressed, the Senators see places for improvement.

"We have some work to do there," Binghamton Senators Head Coach Kurt Kleinendorst said to the Ottawa Citizen (via the Montreal Gazette). "He's a tremendously skilled hockey player. When he figures out how to compete on a consistent basis, wow, that's the complete package.

"But I would say, right now, that that's the one thing we're going to have to spend some time on. There's no question, though, that he's going to help our power play.

"He has got such a good feel for the game. We're going to get some good minutes out of him on the power play if he ends up down in Binghamton."

"When you see him go into the corner and fight for the puck, you know that he'll do it," Ottawa Assistant General Manager Tim Murray added. "So it's not a case that he won't do it. It's just a matter of doing it all the time. But that's the process with all of them."

CHRIS DIDOMENICO, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
The Chicago Blackhawk rookies finished up the London mini-tournament with a 9-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins today.

In his game day preview, Eric P. of the Wilkes-Blog pointed out that this was the first time that DiDomenico and American Eric Tangradi have met since the infamous stick incident at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa.


“Chris DiDomenico (Drummondville, QMJHL): DiDomenico (164th, 2007 by Leafs) showed a lot of speed and had good vision out on the ice,” writes Scott Rostsof the Junior Report. “He had a knack for finding the puck and involving himself in the play. Hopefully he will be back on track after sitting out much of last season after breaking his femur. Had an assist.”

SIMON DESPRES, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Simon Despres and the Pens rookies wrapped up their mini-tournament this afternoon with a 9-5 loss to the Blackhawks.

“WOW!!! I don't think my words can accurately describe the shorthanded goal Simon Despres just tallied,” writes Jason Seilding NHL.com. “Despres picked up the puck along the far wall in the neutral zone, dangled around three Blackhawks to gain entry into the zone, gave a pass to Zach Sill and then when Sill gave him a return pass, Depres turned the puck to his backhand and beat Simpson.”


The ‘Big Horse’ has had a solid rookie camp so far.

“I think it has been good for me so far,” Despres said to NHL.com. “I have been able to get my legs back and jump into game shape. It’s also nice that as a team we have been able to grab two wins.”

The Penguins finished the tournament with a 2-1 record.

STANISLAV GALIEV, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Here is a video of Stanislav Galiev on the second day of Washington Capitals rookie camp.


Check out Japer’s Rink for all your Galiev coverage.