Simon Despres was named the Telus QMJHL third star of the week yesterday. The Sea Dogs defenseman contributed four assists in three wins and an impressive +6 rating.
Lewiston MAINEiacs goaltender Nicholas Champion is the first star of the week while Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Ondrej Palat is the second star.
THE NEXT PORTLAND?
Last season, the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks had an unbelievable eight players selected in the NHL Entry Draft. Is Saint John this year’s version of the Washington State based team?
“Saint John is to the 2011 NHL Draft as the Portland Winterhawks were to 2010,” writes Guy Flaming of The Pipeline Show blog. “There are no less than 5 guys to keep tabs on this year and that number might grow still. In case you're wondering... Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Tesink, Zack Phillips, Tomas Jurco and Nathan Beaulieu are the guys on my list.”
Tesink went on the show a couple of weekends ago and had a solid interview. The hosts also discussed the Sea Dogs impressive roster of draft eligible players. You can listen to his interview by clicking HERE and selecting the October 9th show.
HUBERDEAU ON THE Q SITE
One of the few benefits of the new QMJHL website has been an increase in articles focusing on players, teams, or a certain event. They are often written by the teams beat writer.
This week, Jonathan Huberdeau was featured on the site.
"When the coach put me with Michael Kirkpatrick and (Nicholas) Petersen, I knew I was going to get the puck a lot," Huberdeau said. "Those guys are great players and they make it pretty easy for you. That was a lot of fun for me.
"I really appreciate Gerard doing that. I was only 16 years old last year but he gave me the chance to play on the power play, penalty killing and a lot of ice time five-on-five. That was important to me."
He also talks about the pressure of playing in his draft year.
SCOUTING ‘CATS AND DOGS
Cory Pronman, who often gives brutally realistic scouting reports of players, took in the Sea Dogs – Wildcats game a couple of weeks ago via webcast. In his report, he looked at Simon Despres, Stanislav Galiev, Nathan Beaulieu, Jonathan Huberdeau, Tomas Jurco, and Zach Phillips.
His thoughts on Galiev caused a minor stir among Washington Capital supporters.
“In this game you saw a glimpse of that as at one point he was on the forecheck and retrieved the puck along the back wall, only to have some small 5’9 forward check him and Galiev literally fell like a ton of bricks,” he wrote.
Good thing he didn’t see THIS PICTURE.
ANTHONY’S HOT START
Vancouver Canucks prospect Steven Anthony has been lighting-it-up since returning for the NHL teams training camp.
“Anthony made up for a pointless night against Rimouski on Tuesday with two points, including the game-winning goal against Rouyn-Noranda on Saturday,” writes Patrick King of Rogers Sportsnet. “The veteran forward is averaging more than a point a game and is sixth in team scoring.”
The Halifax native, who missed Sunday’s game against Victoriaville with the flu, has five goals and four assists in eight game this year.
Jacob DeSerres’ shutout on Saturday night earned him on honorable mention in the Buzzing The Net three stars of the night.
“With respect to DeSerres, so that was what the fuss was all about,” wrote Yahoo’s Neate Sager. “DeSerres turned in a clean sheet in his first Quebec league start since bidding adieu to Brandon, making 20 saves to help the Sea Dogs beat Rouyn-Noranda 2-0.”
Speaking of Brandon Wheat King goaltenders, the QMJHL’s (official or unofficial?) Twitter page points out that the “Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (are) in talks with netminder, Andrew Hayes. Hayes played with the Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL. Brandon Sun reports.”
ISS TOP 30
International Scouting Services released their top 30 list for the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft last week. Hockey’s Future has a solid rundown of the risers and fallers on the list.
The only Sea Dog to make the list was Tomas Jurco, who came in at 14 on the prestigious list of up-and-coming prospects. Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Sean Couturier was placed first.
“ISS top 30 out now, no Jonathan Huberdeau or Ty Rattie would be my notable omissions (but it is early),” tweeted The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy about the list.
BBM GROUP
If you haven’t noticed on the right sidebar of this page, there is some info regarding an unofficial Sea Dogs BBM group now set up. The group is not affiliated with Station Nation or the Saint John Sea Dogs.
The group will cover standings, news, trade talk, game day and post game, road trips and more. Add pin 2213EFE5. You can contact @Captain_seadog on Twitter, the creator of the group, for more information.
WAYNE LONG WILL BE AT BREAKFAST THURSDAY
According to the Telegraph-Journal, “Sea Dogs president Wayne Long will be the guest speaker at the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Week breakfast mixer on Thursday.” Starting at 8 a.m. at Holly's Restaurant, the program will include the presentation of this year's small business awards. For more information, email hacc@nbnet.nb.ca or call 832-2559 or 832-4374.
COACHING CLINIC
Hockey Canada’s Atlantic Regional Centre and the Saint John Sea Dogs have partnered in offering local minor hockey coaches an opportunity to participate in a Coaching Development Day on Saturday, November 13th.
All of the details are RIGHT HERE.
The Telegraph-Journal and News 88.9 both report that former Sea Dogs goaltender Karel St. Laurent is heading out west in try and land a job with a British Columbia junior ‘A’ team. T-J reports that he left on Sunday.
St. Laurent went on air on News 88.9 during an intermission of Saturday’s game at Harbour Station and said that he had received a few offers from junior ‘A’ clubs.
POWER RANKINGS
Scott Vankoughnett and the crew at Open Ice Hockey have began to produce weekly power rankings for the QMJHL along with the two other CHL leagues - the OHL and WHL.
The rankings are calculated using a formula based on weekly and season long play.
After a 3-0-0-0 week, the Sea Dogs come in at number two this week with only the Quebec Remparts ranked higher. Patrick Roy’s team is without a regulation loss this season.
DESPRES GETS THE BIG BUCKS
If for some reason you don’t read the all-important photo captions in the Telegraph-Journal, you may have missed this tidbit.
Simon Despres’ pink jersey that was worn on Saturday night at Harbour Station fetched a whopping $1,000 while the entire auction raised $9,100. According to Sea Dogs in-game host Kyle after the game, the total is a team record for money raised during Pink in the Rink.
MAYER ARTICLE
With the Hamilton Bulldogs’ number one net minder, Curtis Sanford, on the shelf with a throat injury, the American Hockey League club has looked to former Sea Dogs goaltender Robert Mayer to lead them.
“My expectation this year was to get a feel for the league and hopefully next year be the starter,” said the Swiss native to the Hamilton Spectator. “Obviously, Sanford is a veteran guy in this league and has played games in the NHL. He’s a great goaltender and I think he will be a great mentor for me.”
“The first thing we enjoyed about his play was his ability to go post to post, and challenge above the crease,” said Bulldogs head coach Randy Cunneyworth of Mayer. “We like that quickness, but the trick for a young goaltender is to get that all under control and be set when the shot comes.”
He is expected to start in goal tonight, which will be his third straight game. He is currently being backed-up by former Halifax Mooseheads goalie Peter Delmas who signed with the Montreal Canadiens last week.
Photo Credits: Marc Henwood, Marc Henwood, that Marc Henwood guy
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