QMJHL Releases 2011-12 Schedule

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has released their 2011-12 regular season schedule, and the Saint John Sea Dogs will open their title defense against a familiar foe. The Moncton Wildcats will visit Harbour Station on Thursday, September 8^th, to witness the Sea Dogs raise their President’s Cup and Memorial Cup banners. It’s the lone game on the opening day of the QMJHL season. A fitting opponent for the Sea Dogs to host while raising their banners, given that they didn’t get a playoff rematch after the Wildcats defeated them in the 2010 Finals to win the President’s Cup.

The Sea Dogs travel to Bathurst to open their road schedule against the Titan the following day, September 9^th. Other notable games on Saint John’s schedule include a rematch of the 2011 Finals when the Sea Dogs visit Gatineau on October 12^th. The Olympiques make their only trip to the Port City on January 4^th. 2012 Memorial Cup hosts, the Shawinigan Cataractes, will be in Saint John on December 3^rd. The Sea Dogs will visit the host city on February 4^th.

Will Sea Dogs fans get their first look at Nathan MacKinnon on November 13^th when Baie-Comeau comes to town? Probably not. Check out the full schedule, as well as the team-by-team schedules. If you missed it earlier this week, the league also released the preseason schedule.

Photo credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation