RECAP: Sea Dogs win 3-2

FINAL: Cape Breton 2, Saint John 3

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs will not go winless this season.

The score may have been 3-2, but the Sea Dogs had a relatively dominant performance in a victory over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Friday night at Harbour Station, earning the club’s first win of the season.

The Sea Dogs’ 0-2 start to the year had a lot to do with so many players being away at NHL camps. Several players made their season debut on Friday – and their impacts could been seen.

Mathieu Joseph scored two goals and added an assist for Saint John while Spencer Smallman added a solo marker.  Matthew Highmore had two helpers. Alex Bishop made 15 saves in the win.

Cape Breton goals came from Olivier LeBlanc and Olivier Bourret. Kevin Mandolese made 41 stops in the loss.

To the notes:

• The Sea Dogs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Joseph netted his first of the season just 49 seconds in. A misplay by Mandolese left Joseph alone in front with the puck.
• LeBlanc, current Eagles captain and a former Sea Dogs captain, tied the game during a five-on-three power play at 9:49.
• Bokondji Imama nearly gave the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead with 3:40 left in the first period but Mandolese swiped the puck off the goal line.
• Joseph gave the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead with a power play marker at 3:22 of the second.
• At 12:10 of the second, Smallman wired a shot from the circle while on a power play to make it 3-2 Saint John.
• The only scoring in the third period came with 11.8 seconds left. With the goaltender pulled, Bourret scored on a scramble to make it 3-2 – but the Eagles would get no closer.
• Joseph, Imama, Smallman, Nathan Noel and Samuel Dove-McFalls all played their first games of the season. All five were sent back from NHL camps this week.
• Highmore has two goals and two assists in three games this season.
• Smallman was sporting a full-face shield. According to Tim Roszell, Smallman was hit the face by a puck by former Screaming Eagle Clark Bishop during a game at Carolina Hurricanes rookie camp.
• LeBlanc’s goal marked only the second time the defenceman has scored against his old team.
• Chase Stewart was thrown out of the game for removing his opponent’s helmet during a fight in the second period. That forced the Sea Dogs to play with five defencemen for the rest of the game. Forwards Highmore and Kyle Ward were both used on D.
• Assuming Stewart is suspended, the Sea Dogs are short on D heading into Saturday’s game.
• Bourret’s goal was the first of his QMJHL career.
• Bryson Michel made his QMJHL debut for Saint John.
• Solid crowd of 5,018 on hand for Saint John’s home opener.
• The ice-level bar seemed popular.

Sea Dogs release "Port City Rise" promo

The Sea Dogs released a new promo video today. It's quite good.



The website PortCityRise.com has also been launched.

The video was made by ICS Creative Agency, the same marketing group that made last season's popular "Draw A Line" playoff video.

The description on YouTube reads, "As the Saint John Sea Dogs enter the 2016-2017 season, they have two goals. One, to bring home a championship. Two, to bring a city together. It’s our time to rise together. #PortCityRise"

The video will presumably be played tonight at the team's home opener.

Game Day 3: vs Screaming Eagles

After back-to-back road games to start the season, the Saint John Sea Dogs (0-2-0-0) will play their home opener tonight against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (1-2-0-0). Game time is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-3 loss in Halifax on Saturday. John Warren, Gabriel Bettez and Matthew Highmore scored for Saint John. Alex Bishop made 23 stops in the loss. The Screaming Eagles are coming off an 8-3 win in Charlottetown last night. Jordan Ty Fournier had a hat trick while singles came from Yannick Bertrand, Tobie Paquette-Bisson, Joseph Mizzi, Dillon Boucher and Vasily Glotov. Kyle Jessiman made 35 saves in the win.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 6-3-0-0 against the Screaming Eagles last season while Cape Breton went 3-5-0-1 against Saint John.

2016 pre-season head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 1-1-0-0 against the Screaming Eagles in pre-season play while Cape Breton went 1-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last game: Sept. 19 in North Sydney where the Screaming Eagles defeated the Sea Dogs 7-2. Peyton Hoyt and Drake Batherson each scored twice for Cape Breton while Massimo Carozza, Logan O’Neil and Tyler Hylland added singles. Saint John goals came from Matt Green and Olivier Mathieu. Kevin Mandolese got the win while Alex Bishop and Alex D’Orio each got some time in net for Saint John.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Screaming Eagles: Defenceman Olivier LeBlanc

Random stat: Olivier LeBlanc, who was named captain of the Screaming Eagles yesterday, had four assists in seven regular season games against Saint John last year. He added three assists in the seven-game playoff series between the two.

News & Notes: Sea Dogs slide down Top 10

A 0-2-0-0 start to the season has slid the Sea Dogs down the CHL Top 10 rankings.

After placing second in the pre-season rankings, the Sea Dogs have moved down to seventh. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (third), Shawinigan Cataractes (sixth) and Drummondville Voltigeurs (10^th) were the other QMJHL teams to crack the Top 10. The Charlottetown Islanders were an honourable mention.

#CHL Top-10 for Week 2: 1-LDN, 2-BDN, 3-ROU, 4-WSR, 5-SEA, 6-SHA, 7-SNB, 8-PG, 9-HAM, 10-DRU. HM: REG, SAR, CHA: pic.twitter.com/Ixvu1V8Vr7

— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) September 28, 2016

The Sea Dogs could quickly make their way back up the rankings with a plethora of players returning from NHL camp this week.

In other news…

• The Sea Dogs will play their home opener on Friday night at 7 p.m. against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. They’ll also play on Saturday at home against the Moncton Wildcats.
• As CSN Boston reports, Jakub Zboril quit Twitter because of the haters.
• Bailey Webster enjoyed his time at Boston Bruins camp, reports The Guardian.
• The CHL website previews the Sea Dogs.
• CBC New Brunswick has some details on the new ice level bar at Harbour Station.
• Sea Dogs draft pick Shane Bowers, currently with the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, was ranked 18th in HockeyProspect.com’s top 50 rankings for the NHL Draft.
• If you didn’t hear, the QMJHL made some changes to its draft lottery.
• A couple videos from John Moore:

Imama and Joseph sent back to Saint John

Bokondji Imama and Mathieu Joseph have both been reassigned to Saint John by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning released 22 players from its training camp roster today. Along with Joseph and Imama, a number of other QMJHL players were sent back.

Imama scored at 18:41 of the third period in the Lightning's 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes last night in Tampa. He also had three shots and two hits in 10:28 of ice time.

We think you're going to enjoy both of these goals from #CARvsTBL last night... ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/mWaoPf73AT

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 28, 2016

Here's Imama speaking to the media after the game:

Imama and Joseph to play NHL pre-season game tonight

Two members of the Saint John Sea Dogs will be in the Tampa Bay Lightning's lineup tonight.

Forwards Mathieu Joseph and Bokondji Imama are both expected to play when the Lightning take on the Carolina Hurricanes in NHL pre-season play.

Very happy to play my first NHL pre-season game tomorrow with the one and only @MathJoseph7

— Boko Imama (@bokojr) September 26, 2016

Pumped to be able to play my first NHL pre-season game tomorrow with this guy #Brother pic.twitter.com/4bfmUDB1h3

— Mathieu Joseph (@MathJoseph7) September 26, 2016

Meanwhile, Thomas Chabot's Ottawa Senators are in Buffalo this evening. But, a night after scoring in Ottawa's 6-3 win over Toronto in Halifax, Chabot is not expected to play. Former Sea Dog Mike Hoffman will be in the lineup, though.

Imama, Joseph, Chabot, Jakub Zboril (Boston Bruins) and Luke Green (Winnipeg Jets) are the remaining Sea Dogs at NHL camps.

Green's Jets are in action tonight but the Sea Dogs defenseman is not listed in the team's lineup.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Flyers return Dove-McFalls to Sea Dogs

Embed from Getty Images

After appearing in a NHL pre-season game last night in Brooklyn, forward Samuel Dove-McFalls has been sent back to Saint John by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Dove-McFalls was one of several players sent back to the CHL by the Flyers this afternoon. Pascal Laberge of the Victoriaville Tigres was also sent back.

In last night's pre-season game that the Flyers lost 3-0, Dove-McFalls had three shots, two hits and one block in 11:08 of ice time. The 19-year-old had a tough time in the faceoff circle, winning just 18% of his draws.

#Flyers lines vs. NYI:

Carey-Weal-Laberge
Goulbourne-Cousins-Conner
Twarynski-Fazleev-McDonald
Sundher-Dove McFalls-Swavely

— Tony Androckitis (@TonyAndrock) September 26, 2016

Dove-McFalls was a fourth-round pick of the Flyers in the 2015 NHL Draft.

The Montreal native will enter his fourth season with the Sea Dogs. In an injury-shortened 2015-16 campaign, Dove-McFalls had five goals and seven assists in 29 regular season games. He added six goals and an assist in 17 playoff matches.

The Sea Dogs, 0-2-0-0, look as though they will have quite a few regulars in the lineup for Friday's home opener. Along with Dove-McFalls, Spencer Smallman (Carolina Hurricanes) and Nathan Noel (Chicago Blackhawks) have been sent back to Saint John.

Several Sea Dogs to play NHL pre-season games tonight

Embed from Getty Images

Several Sea Dogs will take part in NHL pre-season action tonight.

In Halifax, Sea Dogs defenceman Thomas Chabot is expected to be the Ottawa Senators lineup when they face off against the Ottawa Senators. That game is on TSN4 and TSN5.

@rayferrarotsn and I are in Halifax for the Leafs/Senators pre-season game at 7pm at/6pm et. @Marner93 and @ThomasChabot1 in the lineup.

— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) September 26, 2016

The Senators website had a story on Chabot the other day.

In Boston, Jakub Zboril is expected to be in the Bruins lineup when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Samuel Dove-McFalls will be in the Philadelphia Flyers lineup tonight when they take on the New York Islanders in Brooklyn.

First NHL pre season game tomorrow in Brooklyn #Flyers #FiredUp

— Sam Dove-McFalls (@Sam15D_M) September 26, 2016

Meanwhile, former Sea Dogs forward Stanislav Galiev will be in the Washington Capitals lineup tonight when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes.

Yesterday, Spencer Smallman (Carolina) and Nathan Noel (Chicago) were assigned back to Saint John. Chabot, Zboril, Dove-McFalls, Luke Green (Winnipeg Jets), Mathieu Joseph (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Bokondji Imama (Tampa Bay Lightning) remain at NHL camps.

The Jets and Lightning are action tomorrow night.

Smallman, Noel returned to Saint John

The Saint John Sea Dogs are getting some much-needed reinforcements.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have assigned Spencer Smallman back to Saint John. Meanwhile, according to his Instagram, Nathan Noel is on his way back from Chicago Blackhawks camp.

Had a blast in Chicago now time to get things going with the @sjseadogs #portcityrise

A photo posted by Nathan Noel (@nathan_noel10) on Sep 25, 2016 at 1:53pm PDT

Smallman, the Sea Dogs’ captain, was a fifth-round pick of the Hurricanes in 2015. The 20-year-old had 19 goals and 28 assists in 59 regular season games last year. He added three goals and 16 assists in 17 playoff contests.

Noel, a fourth-round pick of Chicago in this year’s NHL Draft, had 21 goals and 36 assists in 61 games with the Dogs last season. He had another three goals and 10 assists in 16 playoff matches.

The two will be welcomed additions to a Sea Dogs team that was forced to start the regular season without several regulars due to NHL camps. At the moment, Saint John is still without Samuel Dove-McFalls (Philadelphia Flyers), Luke Green (Winnipeg Jets), Mathieu Joseph (Tampa Bay Lightning), Bokondji Imama (Tampa Bay Lightning), Thomas Chabot (Ottawa Senators) and Jakub Zboril (Boston Bruins).

Bailey Webster (Boston Bruins) and Oliver Felixson (Arizona Coyotes) had already returned from camp and played this past weekend. Matthew Highmore was invited to Florida Panthers rookie camp but could not attend due to injury.

Saint John’s next game is on Friday at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 4-3

FINAL: Saint John 3, Halifax 4

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

HALIFAX – The Saint John Sea Dogs did not make any changes to their lineup for Saturday’s contest in Halifax. Despite a hard fought effort, the Sea Dogs came up just short, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Mooseheads.

Benoit-Olivier Groulx picked up two goals while singles came from Cooper Jones and Arnaud Durandeau. Kevin Resop stopped 33 of the 36 shots he faced.

Sea Dogs goals came from Scorin’ John Warren, Gabriel Bettez and temporary captain Matthew Highmore. Alex Bishop kicked aside 23 of the 27 shots he faced.

The notes…

• The Mooseheads held a moment of silence in memory of former Moosehead Dean Stock.
• Jones scored the first goal of the game just 53 seconds in - despite a couple big saves by Bishop in the sequence.
• A couple of first career QMJHL goals followed with John Warren picking up his first at 12:51 and, just 19 seconds later, Gabriel Bettez picked up his first as well.
• Groulx, the first overall pick in the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft, picked up his first career QMJHL goal to even the game at 2-2 before the end of the period.
• Penalties played a huge role in the opening period, which included a combined total of 16 minors and four misconducts.
• Durandeau picked up the lone goal of the second period - despite the Sea Dogs outshooting the Moose 19-6 - at 11:33 on a wraparound that rode up and over Bishop. 
• Groulx would add his second goal of the game at 13:53 of the third period, which would end up being the game-winning goal.
• Highmore did add a third goal for the Sea Dogs.
• Highmore also wore the “C” again tonight while Bailey Webster was the alternate.
• Then final shots in the game were 36-27 in favour of the Dogs. They are certainly getting shots to the net.
• The Sea Dogs introduced a new promotion with Papa John’s. Because they scored three goals, everyone gets 40% off pizzas online at Papajohns.com using promo code SEADOGS40.

Game Day 2: at Halifax

After dropping their season opener last night, the Saint John Sea Dogs (0-1-0-0) will look to pick up their first win of the season tonight in Halifax against the Mooseheads (0-1-0-0). Game time is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-2 loss in Charlottetown last night. Matthew Highmore and Samuel Leblanc scored for Saint John. Alex Bishop made 19 saves in the loss. The Mooseheads are coming off a 4-3 loss in Moncton last night. Maxime Fortier scored twice for the Moose while Arnaud Durandeau added a solo marker. Kevin Resop made 29 stops in the loss.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 6-2-0-0 against the Mooseheads last season while Halifax went 2-5-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Aug. 19 in Moncton where the Mooseheads edged the Sea Dogs 4-1 in pre-season rookie tournament play. Jared McIsaac, Ilya Putintsev, Ben Higgins and Raphael Lavoie all scored for Halifax while Cedric Pare netted Saint John’s only goal. Alex Gravel made 13 saves and Kirklin Allen two in the win. Alex D’Orio made 42 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Mooseheads: None

Random stat: Mooseheads goaltender Kevin Resop went 0-2 with a 4.53 GAA and .864 SV% in two games against Saint John last season.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 6-2

FINAL: Saint John 2, Charlottetown 6

CHARLOTTETOWN – Missing several regulars due to NHL camps, the Saint John Sea Dogs dropped their first game of the 2016-17 season, 6-2, to the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday night.

Mitchell Balmas and Jake Coughler each scored twice while singles came from Chris Chaddock and Kameron Kielly. Blade Mann-Dixon made 42 saves.

Saint John goals came from Matthew Highmore and Samuel Leblanc. Alex Bishop made 19 stops in the loss

The notes…

• Balmas opened the scoring 12:23 into the first, putting a rebound past the pad of Bishop. Charlottetown had a couple of good chances on a power play later in the period but could not beat the Dogs ‘tender.
• Saint John had 14 shots in the opening period, none better than John Warren’s, who was denied on a breakaway.
• Coughler and Balmas put Charlottetown up 3-0 in the second. The Sea Dogs finally got on the board at 15:53 when Daniel Del Paggio fed Highmore on a two-on-one.
• Chaddock scored just 19 seconds into the third to basically put the game out of reach. Coughler scored at 13:38 and Kielly added an empty netter with 1:24 to play.
• Saint John’s third period goal came from after Olivier Mathieu was stopped on a wrap around. Leblanc picked up the puck and beat Mann-Dixon. It was the first QMJHL points for Mathieu, Leblanc and Alexandre Lafreniere.
• The Sea Dogs had 44 shots, which was good to see.
• Only two penalties were called the entire game.
• Matthew Highmore wore the ‘C’ with Spencer Smallman away at NHL camp.
• Charlottetown’s Pierre-Olivier Joseph, the brother of Mathieu Joseph, wore an ‘A’ for the Islanders.
• Highmore had a goal and an assist in Saint John’s season opener last year.
• Mann-Dixon, a former Sea Dog, against Saint John last season: 4 GPI, 1-2, 10 GA, 100 shots
• Massive CIBC – now the official bank of the CHL – ad on the boards in Charlottetown.
• Shout out to Greco pizza for the ads on the goal posts.

Internet predicts Sea Dogs to be good

With another QMJHL season set to start, here's what the Internet is saying about the Sea Dogs. Spoiler: it's all good.

• The Hockey News has the Sea Dogs finishing second overall in the QMJHL, behind the Shawinigan Cataractes.
• The Sea Dogs are predicted to finish first overall in the Maritimes Division by Sportsnet.
• The CHL website has a QMJHL season preview. 
• The sky is the limit for this year's version of the Sea Dogs, says The Hockey Writers.
• Familiar teams are expected to be at the top of the QMJHL standings, predicts the Cape Breton Post.
• RDS has the Sea Dogs winning the Maritimes Division (and the Titan finishing all the way in fourth).
• Here's the Times & Transcript's predictions in non-paywall form. Neil Hodge has the Dogs winning the Maritimes.
• The QMJHL website has a big preview on the Sea Dogs.
• Habs Eye on the Prize says the Sea Dogs are "likely the favourites to win the President's Cup this season."

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Predictions for the 2016-17 QMJHL season

A new QMJHL season has arrived.

Many league followers expect a three horse race between last year's semifinalists from Rouyn-Noranda, Shawinigan and Saint John. All three teams are poised to take a serious run at the 2017 President Cup. However, one of three dark horses from Bathurst, Chicoutimi or Gatineau may very well push the “Big Three” to the finish line.

By Lorne Webster

Maritimes Division

Three of the teams with the most significant roster turnovers are from the Maritimes - Cape Breton (11), Charlottetown (nine) and Moncton (eight). All of those teams will continue to be tough - but many eyes will be on the young guns in Halifax in the battle for the Maritimes.

1.  Saint John - Sea Dogs fans are excited to see the continued growth of Joe Veleno. However, with a league leading 11 players invited to NHL camps (including Chabot, Zboril, Joseph and Noel), the first few weeks could be rough for the Sea Dogs. But once the full roster is in place - and coach Danny Flynn makes any necessary changes over Christmas - the Sea Dogs should reach the 100-point plateau.

2. Bathurst - backstopped by Reilly Pickard and led by an exciting forward group (e.g. Morand, Kuznetsov, Miromanov, Viel, etc.), the team’s fate rests largely on the development of its defence.

3. Halifax - There is plenty to be excited about after Cam Russell added the likes of Hischier, Groulx and McIsaac to a core led by Fortier, Somppi and Chainey. Expect a roller coaster ride for this team of young guns.

4. Charlottetown - Coach/GM Jim Hulton has improved his defence with the addition of Brisebois and Donaghey but goal scoring behind Chlapik and Coughler will tell the tale. Islanders fans are hoping for a quick return to action for Daniel Sprong - but reports out of Pittsburgh suggest he'll end up with Crosby and Co. in January/February.

5. Moncton - Owner Robert Irving expects to win every year and the Wildcats will continue to battle. Manuel Weiderer and the Klima twins have huge shoes to fill as scoring whiz Conor Garland moves on. And team defence is a question mark.

6. Cape Breton - If Pierre-Luc Dubois stays in the NHL as many expect, it could be a long season for the Screaming Eagles. Fiore, Carozza and LeBlanc provide excellent leadership but depth is lacking after a huge roster turnover.

Game Day 1: at Charlottetown

The Saint John Sea Dogs (0-0-0-0) begin the 2016-17 QMJHL regular season tonight in Charlottetown against the Islanders (0-0-0-0). Game time is 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-2 pre-season loss to the Screaming Eagles on Saturday. Matt Green and Olivier Mathieu scored Saint John’s only goals. Alex D’Orio allowed four goals while Alex Bishop let in three. The Islanders haven’t played since Sept. 10 where they lost 7-5 to the Sea Dogs at Eastlink Centre. Filip Chlapik and Jake Coughler each scored twice while singles came from Mitchell Balmas, Guillaume Brisebois and Chris Chaddock. Matthew Welsh made 22 saves.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs went 6-1-2-0 against the Islanders last season while Charlottetown went 3-5-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Sept. 10 in Charlottetown where the Islanders defeated the Sea Dogs 7-5. Matthew Highmore scored twice for Saint John while singles came from John Warren, Luke Green and Alexandre Bernier. Filip Chlapik and Jake Coughler each scored twice for Charlottetown while singles came from Mitchell Balmas, Guillaume Brisebois and Chris Chaddock. Alex D’Orio allowed five goals and Alex Bishop two. Matthew Welsh made 22 saves for the Isles.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders: Defenceman Will Thompson and goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon.

Sea Dogs make roster moves ahead of opener

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a number of roster moves on Thursday.

The team announced that defencemen Matthew O’Leary and Ian Smallwood along with forward Alexandre Lafreniere have all been recalled. Smallwood and Lafreniere have been with the MHL’s Woodstock Slammers while O’Leary has been with the St. Stephen Aces.

Smallwood, 17, played in 11 games with the Sea Dogs last season, recording one assist.

Lafreniere, 17, played in two games with Saint John last year and was held pointless.

O’Leary, 17, has not appeared in the QMJHL yet. The first overall pick in this year’s MHL Draft, the Newfoundlander played in four pre-season contests with Saint John.

Both Smallwood and Lafreniere spent last season with the Saint John Vito’s. O’Leary played with the St. John’s Privateers.

According to a Sea Dogs press release, all three “are expected to be available to play when the Sea Dogs open the 2016-17 season Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. against the Charlottetown Islanders at Eastlink Centre.”

The team also announced that defenceman Simon Elsliger has been reassigned. A fourth-round pick of the Sea Dogs in this year’s QMJHL Entry Draft, the 16-year-old spent last season with the Moncton Flyers.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Sea Dogs ranked 2nd in first Top 10

The Saint John Sea Dogs will start the season ranked No. 2 in the Canadian Hockey League.

The Sea Dogs were one of three QMJHL teams to make the CHL’s pre-season Top 10 Rankings. The Shawinigan Cataractes and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies were the others. The Gatineau Olympiques, meanwhile, were an honourable mention.

Last year’s Memorial cup champions, the London Knights, were ranked No. 1.

Here are the full rankings:

CHL Top 10 Rankings – Pre-season
1.       London Knights
2.       Saint John Sea Dogs
3.       Brandon Wheat Kings
4.       Seattle Thunderbirds
5.       Shawinigan Cataractes
6.       Windsor Spitfires
7.       Mississauga Steelheads
8.       Victoria Royals
9.       Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
10.     Regina Pats

Honourable Mention:
Gatineau Olympiques
Sarnia Sting
Kelowna Rockets

The Sea Dogs begin regular season play on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Charlottetown.

Rogers, Eastlink broadcast schedules released

The Rogers TV and Eastlink TV schedules for the 2016-17 season have been released.

The first Sea Dogs game to be broadcast on Rogers will be the team’s home opener on Sept. 30 against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. A total of 26 Sea Dogs games will air on Rogers this season, seven of which will be road games.

The first QMJHL game to air on Rogers this season will be on Friday, Sept. 23 when the Halifax Mooseheads visit the Moncton Wildcats.

The full Rogers TV Sea Dogs schedule can be found here.

The Sea Dogs will only appear once on Eastlink during the regular season. The team’s Nov. 11 game in Charlottetown will air on the cable station.

The full Eastlink schedule can be found here.

The national Sportsnet and TVA Sports schedules have not yet been released.

Monday News & Notes

LONDON, Ont. – Thomas Chabot had quite a performance on Sunday.

Playing in Ottawa’s third and final game of the annual NHL rookie tournament in London, Chabot recorded four assists in the Senators’ 6-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Thomas Chabot warming up. pic.twitter.com/mzrwq80Fub

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) September 18, 2016

Chabot will no doubt get a long look from the Sens at the team’s main training camp.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose final pre-season game

FINAL: Saint John 2, Cape Breton 7

NORTH SYDNEY, NS - The Saint John Sea Dogs dropped their final game of the pre-season on Saturday night, falling 7-2 to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

The Eagles led 3-0 after the first period and extended their lead to 4-0 early in the second. 

Peyton Hoyt and Drake Batherson each scored two goals while singles came from Massimo Carozza, Logan O'Neil and Tyler Hylland. Kevin Mandolese was in net for Cape Breton

Matt Green and Olivier Mathieu scored for Saint John. Alex Bishop and Alex D'Orio split duties in net.

The Sea Dogs played without a number of regulars due to NHL rookie camps beginning this weekend.

Following the game, the two teams gscot together at centre ice for a photo to show support for former Screaming Eagle Scottie Greene, who was in a car accident this past week.

@CBSEHockey and @SJSeaDogs showing their support for @ScottieGreene66 following tonight's game. @AcesJrHockey. pic.twitter.com/xD3k5tQPXx

— Jeremy Fraser (@FraserTQN) September 18, 2016

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs begin regular season play on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Charlottetown. 

Pre-Season Game Day 9: at Cape Breton

The Saint John Sea Dogs (3-5-0-0) play its final game of the pre-season tonight in North Sydney against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (4-2-0-0). Game time is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/None/None

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-5 loss in Charlottetown on Sept. 10. Matthew Highmore had two goals while singles came from Luke Green, John Warren and Alexandre Bernier. Alex D’Orio made 28 saves while Alex Bishop made 16. The Screaming Eagles are coming off a 5-1 win over Halifax on Sept. 16. Jordan Ty Fournier, Anthony Beauchamp, Drake Batherson, Massimo Carozza and Tyler Hylland all scored for Cape Breton. Kyle Jessiman made 29 saves in the victory.

2016 preseason head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-0-0-0 against the Screaming Eagles this preseason while Cape Breton is 0-1-0-0.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 6-3-0-0 against the Screaming Eagles last season while Cape Breton went 3-5-0-1 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Aug. 27 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Screaming Eagles 7-2. John Warren and Spencer Smallman each scored twice while singles came from Mathieu Joseph, Kyle Ward and Zach Grzelewski. Alex Bishop made nine saves and Alex D’Orio 10. Cape Breton goals came from Marcus Tesink and Olivier Bourret. Kyle Jessiman made 24 saves and Colten Ellis eight.

MacAulay signs with ECHL Florida

Former Sea Dogs forward Stephen MacAulay has signed with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.

MacAulay has spent most of the past three seasons with the Saint Mary’s Huskies of Atlantic University Sport. The 24-year-old has played pro hockey previously, appearing in eight games with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs and 12 matches with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers in 2013-14.

“Stephen is a big, strong versatile forward,” said Everblades head coach Brad Ralph in a press release. “He has a team first mindset and will be an impact role player for us.”

MacAulay is one of the winningest junior hockey players ever, appearing in four President Cup finals and three Memorial Cups. He won three QMJHL championships and two national titles during his time with the Sea Dogs and Halifax Mooseheads.

The Nova Scotian was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

MacAulay played 20 games of pro hockey in 2013-14 before joining the Saint Mary’s Huskies, where he has played ever since.

Former Sea Dogs forward Michael Kirkpatrick recently signed with the Everblades.

The Everblades, who are affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes and Charlotte Checkers, being the ECHL regular season on Oct. 14 against Greenville.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

RECAP: Sea Dogs fall in Charlottetown

FINAL: Saint John 5, Charlottetown 7

CHARLOTTETOWN – They were able to make it interesting, but ultimately the Saint John Sea Dogs fell short in Charlottetown on Saturday night.

The Islanders led 4-0 after the first period and went on to win the QMJHL pre-season contest 7-5 at Eastlink Centre. The Sea Dogs were able to get within two in the third period – but that was as close as they would get.

Jake Coughler and Filip Chlapik scored twice for Charlottetown while singles came from Mitchell Balmas, Guillaume Brisebois and Chris Chaddock. Matthew Welsh made 22 saves in the victory.

Matthew Highmore had two goals for Saint John while singles came from John Warren, Luke Green and Alexandre Bernier. Alex D’Orio allowed five goals on 33 shots while Alex Bishop allowed two on 18.

While D’Orio’s numbers weren’t great, Saint John didn’t do him any favours defensively. Charlottetown outshot the Dogs 22-5 in the first period and 21-12 in the second.

The Sea Dogs play their final game of the pre-season next Saturday in North Sydney against the Screaming Eagles.

Pre-Season Game Day 8: at Charlottetown

The Saint John Sea Dogs (3-4-0-0) continue pre-season action tonight in Charlottetown against the Islanders (2-5-0-1). Game time is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/None/None

Last games: These two teams met last night at Harbour Station with the Sea Dogs winning 3-2 in a shootout. Bokondji Imama and Joe Veleno scored for Saint John in regulation time while Charlottetown goals came from Pascal Aquin and Cody Donaghey. Alex Bishop made 37 saves in the win while Blade Mann-Dixon made 29 stops in the loss.

2016 pre-season head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-0-0-0 against the Islanders this pre-season while Charlottetown is 0-0-0-1.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs went 6-1-2-0 against the Islanders last season while Charlottetown went 3-5-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: See above.

RECAP: Sea Dogs beat Islanders in SO

FINAL: Charlottetown 2, Saint John 3 (SO)

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN  - The Saint John Sea Dogs defeated the Charlottetown Islanders 3-2 in a shootout on Friday night at Harbour Station.

The exhibition contest was likely the Sea Dogs’ final home game before several players make their way to NHL training camps. The game also featured a large audience thanks to the Sea Dogs offering free tickets for the match - which sold out relatively quickly.

It didn’t take long for new Sea Dog Chase Stewart to make a big impression, taking on Trevor Stacey in a heavyweight tilt and knocking the Islanders’ lid off with some heavy punches. The Sea Dogs would strike first when Bokondji Imama powered a wrist shot past Blade Mann-Dixon, sending Saint John to the dressing room with a 1-0 advantage.

The Islanders would even things up at 1-1 at the 3:29 mark of the second period off the stick of newly acquired Pascal Aquin. That would be all the scoring in a tight checking middle period of play.

The Islanders would strike first in the third, giving the visitors their first lead of the game at 11:51 when Cody Donaghey’s wrist shot deflected in front of Alex Bishop and found its way into the back of the net. The lead was short lived however as Joe Veleno caught a pass in the slot and went bar-down on Mann-Dixon just 46 seconds later. That would be all the scoring in regulation time and, after overtime solved nothing, the game went to a shootout.

Pre-Season Game Day 7: vs Islanders

The Saint John Sea Dogs (2-4-0-0) take on the Charlottetown Islanders (2-5-0-0) tonight at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station. It will be Saint John’s final home game of the 2016 pre-season.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/None/None

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-3 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Aug. 28 at Harbour Station. Zach Grzelewski scored twice while singles came from Samuel Dove-McFalls, John Warren, Matthew Highmore, Joe Veleno and Oliver Felixson. Alex Bishop made 16 saves and Matt Williams made eight in the victory. The Islanders are coming off a 6-1 loss to the Halifax Mooseheads on Aug. 28. Gregor MacLeod scored Charlottetown’s lone goal. Matthew Welsh allowed six goals on 16 shots while Blade Mann-Dixon made 11 stops.

2016 pre-season head-to-head: This is the first meeting.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs went 6-1-2-0 against the Islanders last season while Charlottetown went 3-5-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: March 11 at Harbour Station where the Islanders defeated the Sea Dogs 5-3. Sam Povorozniouk, Matthew Highmore and Bokondji Imama scored for Saint John. Bradley Kennedy scored twice for Charlottetown while singles came from Alexis Vanier, Samuel Blais and Filip Rydstrom. Mason McDonald made 45 saves in the win while Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 34 stops in the loss.

Training camp roster reduced by two

The Saint John Sea Dogs cut two more players on Wednesday, reducing their training camp roster to 26.

Forwards Alexnadre Lafreniere and defencemen Ian Smallwood were both released. Both have been reassigned to junior ‘A.’

Both players spent last season with the Saint John Vito’s. Smallwood was a ninth round pick of the Sea Dogs in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft while Lafreniere was selected in the 11^th round.

16 forwards, eight defencemen and two goaltenders remain in camp.

Some other news and notes…

• Single game tickets to all 34 Sea Dogs home games went on sale Thursday morning. Fans will receive a $1 discount when purchasing online this season.
• Rogers Hometown Hockey is coming to Saint John this year, it was announced on Wednesday. It will be held Oct. 22-23 at Long Wharf.
• RDS’ Stephane Leroux has some takes on all 18 QMJHL teams heading into the season.

Sea Dogs announce full ticket details

The Saint John Sea Dogs unveiled all of their 2016-17 ticket packages early Wednesday morning.

Along with officially announcing the team’s new ticket scheme, a variety of flex packages were unveiled.

"We've made a lot of changes to our ticket structure this season," said president Trevor Georgie in a press release. "We're really happy we can offer fans a variety of options that can meet their ticketing needs, and allow as many of our great fans as possible to see as many games as they can."

The team’s new ticket pricing setup caused a lot of commotion last week when the Harbour Station website gave fans their first look at it. “When purchasing single-game tickets, twenty-nine of the 34 home games will be the same price or less expensive than last season in most price points,” according to the Sea Dogs.

As expected, the dynamic pricing model will see Saint John’s 34 home games divided into premium (five games), regular (19) and best value (10).

Student ($13) and youth ($8) will be the same price for all seating areas for all 34 home games.

The Sea Dogs also announced several new, smaller flex packages that will allow fans to save money and time. Details on the Flex 20, Flex 10, Flex 10 Student and Home Opener 6 packages can be found on the team’s website.

According to the release, “the Flex 34 Season Ticket Package will be discontinued later this month. This will not impact fans who have already purchased a package for this season. These fans are still considered Season Ticket Holders.”

On Tuesday, the team announced an impressive Kids Pass package, which will allow season ticket holders to purchase a season pass for children aged 5-12 for just $35.

As we wrote last week, the Sea Dogs are putting an emphasis on adding value to season tickets and other packages, creating more savings for those who purchase.

Fans will also receive a $1 discount when purchasing online rather than at the box office.

Huberdeau about to get paid

According to reports, Jonathan Huberdeau is about to get paid.

From @TSNBobMcKenzie: Panthers closing in on 6-year deal with Jonathan Huberdeau with AAV just under $6M #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/62M9Laszw4

— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) September 6, 2016

Jonathan Huberdeau has agreed to a $35.4M, six-year extension with #FlaPanthers. That's a $5.9M AAV.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 6, 2016

Jonathan Huberdeau's #FlaPanthers extension includes a NMC starting in 2019-20. It becomes an eight-team NTC for the final year.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 6, 2016

The Panthers have not made the deal official yet.

The former Sea Dogs captain had 20 goals and 39 assists in 76 games with the Panthers last season. He has 58 goals and 114 assists in 272 career NHL games.

Huberdeau is the Sea Dogs' all-time leading scorer, playing with the club for three-and-a-half seasons.

Notebook: Hockey returns next weekend

The Sea Dogs return to pre-season action next weekend.

The team hosts the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday night at 7 p.m. The game will feature a packed house thanks to tickets being free of charge.

The following day, the Sea Dogs travel to PEI to face the Isles at 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre.

Saint John wraps up exhibition action on Saturday, Sept. 17 in North Sydney against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

The regular season begins on Sept. 23 in Charlottetown. The team’s home opener will be on Sept. 30 against the Screaming Eagles.

TOP PROSPECTS

The website Tout Est Espoir ranked the top 15 QMJHL players that are eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Coming in at No. 15 was Sea Dogs rookie goaltender Alex D’Orio. The 17-year-old spent last season with AAA Magog after being selected ninth overall by Saint John in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Victoriaville’s Maxime Comtois was the top ranked prospect. Charlottetown’s Pierre-Olivier Joseph, the brother of Saint John’s Mathieu Joseph, was ranked 12^th.

MATHIEU GETS A LETTER

After being sent back to midget AAA by the Sea Dogs, first-rounder Olivier Mathieu has been given an ‘A’ to wear with Magog.

Jordan Chabot est nommé capitaine des @LesCantonniers. O. Mathieu et I. Châteauneuf ses adjoints. Trois produits du hockey drummondvillois.

— Jonathan Habashi (@JonathanHabashi) September 2, 2016

FLAMES PRICES

Since a few people have been wondering what kind of ticket pricing scheme the Saint John Flames had in their final season, here it is, via the Wayback Machine:

New ticket pricing setup becoming known

The Harbour Station website has unveiled some details on the Saint John Sea Dogs’ new ticket pricing setup.

The website lists three home games that are all priced differently. The team’s home opener on Sept. 30 is labeled a “premium pricing” game, Oct. 1 against Moncton is a “regular pricing” contest while Oct. 5 against Gatineau features “best value” pricing.

The Harbour Station seating chart (above - click to enlarge) has also been adjusted with the building now being divided into four price zones. Seating has also been taken out in the Sea Dogs bench side end zone, which will be replaced with a bar.

Two more cut from Sea Dogs camp

The Saint John Sea Dogs made two more roster moves on Friday, assigning forward Nico Blachman and goaltender Matt Williams to junior ‘A.’

The moves trim Saint John's training camp roster to 28.

Blachman joined the Sea Dogs last season, recording one goal and 68 penalty minutes in 31 games. The Florida native was held pointless in four playoff games. Earlier in the season he appeared in seven games with the USHL’s Chicago Steel.

The 18-year-old was selected by the Campbellton Tigers in this year’s MHL QMJHL Supplementary Draft.

Williams spent last season with the MHL’s Summerside Western Capitals, posting a 3.17 goals against average and a .900 save percentage in 35 games. He appeared in seven playoff games as well, recording a 4.01 GAA and .880 SV%.

With Williams cut, the Sea Dogs only have two goaltenders left in camp – Alex Bishop and Alex D’Orio. It appears that will be Saint John’s duo in net.

17 forwards and nine defencemen make up the rest of Saint John’s camp roster.

Info on NHL rookie camps coming out

Rosters and schedules for NHL rookie camps and tournaments have started to be released.

In London, Ont., Thomas Chabot will be part of the Ottawa Senators team that will take part in the annual NHL rookie tournament. The event takes place Sept. 16-18.

Rookie teams from Toronto, Montreal and Pittsburgh will also be taking part. Ottawa’s first game is Sept. 16 against Toronto.

The Boston Bruins, which will likely include Saint John’s Jakub Zboril and Bailey Webster, will be taking part in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Rookie teams from the Sabres and New Jersey Devils will also be there.

The biggest rookie tournament will once again take place in Traverse City, Michigan which will include Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, St. Louis, Carolina, Dallas, Minnesota and the New York Rangers. The tournament takes place Sept. 16-18.

Not all rosters have been released yet, but Nathan Noel (Chicago) and Spencer Smallman (Carolina) have been named to their team’s lineups.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals will be taking part in a rookie tournament in Tampa Sept. 17-20.

Mathieu Joseph and Bokondji Imama will be joining the Lightning team for the tournament. The Panthers haven’t release their roster yet, but Matthew Highmore is believed to be joining the squad as a free agent invite.

Samuel Dove-McFalls will be heading to Philadelphia Flyers camp. The Flyers will take on the New York Islanders in a rookie game on Sept. 21 at the Isles practice facility.

The Vancouver Canucks will once again hosting the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, BC from Sept. 16-19. Luke Green’s Winnipeg Jets will be taking part in that tournament.

Lastly, while the Arizona Coyotes have not released a rookie camp roster yet, it’s been rumoured that Oliver Felixson will be taking part. That camp begins Sept. 16.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation