First Impressions

By Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN - The Sea Dogs held their first rookie game of training camp this morning, featuring two 25 minute periods. Here are first impressions on the rookies:

• Joe Veleno has mad skills. He will be able to step into a 'top nine' role right away. 
• Cedric Pare is big and a strong skater - he looks a lot like Sam Dove-McFalls did in his rookie camp. 
• Sam Leblanc is a "water bug."
• Alex Kealey, Dawson Theede and Kallum Muirhead are very large lads.
• Ryan Kenny and Kyle Ward are more than capable of contributing this season.
• Without a trade or two, there is a log jam on defence. But Pierre-Luc Lurette and Vincent Martineau could find their way onto the Sea Dogs' roster very soon. In fact, every rookie defenceman made a solid impression in the opening session.
• The Sea Dogs goaltending depth is quite impressive. Sebastien Auger (who was in attendance) left huge skates to fill... but Danny Flynn has a good group to choose from. Christopher Smith and Matt Williams split duties in net for Team While while William Hardy-Murray and Tommy Viboux were in for Team Blue.
• Alex D'Orio and Blade Mann-Dixon practiced this morning with the returning players.
• Full rosters from this morning:

Rosters pic.twitter.com/9psbSHokGO

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) August 10, 2015

There will be another rookie game this evening at 6 p.m. at Harbour Station. The game is open to the public.