'BIG HORSE' SET TO RETURN

It was made official this afternoon that Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Simon Despres has been sent back to his junior club in Saint John.

Despres, a 2009 first round draft pick of the Penguins, will play in his fourth season with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The ‘Big Horse’ chose to train in Pittsburgh during Sea Dogs training camp this past August and has not seen game action with the Dogs since game six of the President’s Cup Final at the Moncton Coliseum. Despres took part in Penguins rookie camp before advancing to the clubs main camp.

The 19-year old played for the Penguins in four pre-season games. Despite being held pointless, he left an impression on the Penguins' brass.

"(Simon is) a great player and we think he can play in the National Hockey League right now," Head coach Dan Bylsma said via SaintJohnSeaDogs.com. "For our team and opening night roster, he's not going to be there. We have to decide what's best for his development. ... He's going to return to his junior team."

The Tim Roszell news wire at News 88.9 was first to report Despres' cut. NHL teams had to have their final roster set today.

According to the Sea Dogs website, “Després is expected to be back in Saint John on Thursday and should be in the Sea Dogs’ lineup this weekend.”

It should be a fun season for the Sea Dogs veteran. He’s all but a lock for the Subway Super Series games, a top candidate for Canada’s world junior team, and should be nothing short of a beast this season. There are not too many QMJHL teams with a NHL ready defenseman on their squad.

Photo Credit: Empty Netters