SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

LOTS OF PRAISE
Reports of the Saint John Sea Dogs’ number one ranking in the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 rankings have turned up across the country.

From Gerard Gallant’s home town of Summerside, PEI to the sadden Windsor Star readers who saw their team fall all the way to number three in the nation.

NO RESPECT
Team president Wayne Long said on The Afternoon News with Tim Young last week that he feels the Sea Dogs are being “disrespected” with them now being the top team in country. Long didn’t get any respect from Chicoutimi head coach Richard Martel either.

"Victoriaville is the best team in the league,'' he said. "They're alone at the top. Victoriaville will meet Moncton in the final and Victoriaville will win. I would put money on it. Moncton will not be able to touch them.

"These are the two best clubs in the league, but Victoriaville has the advantage because (Moncton centre Kelsey) Tessier isn't capable of playing against (Victoriaville centre Joel) Champagne. Write it. You'll see.''

"I think our first focus is on staying ahead of Cape Breton,'' said Moncton Wildcats head coach Danny Flynn. "Saint John has a tremendous team and for us to make up that ground would be a significant challenge. All we can do and all we can control is how well we play.''

To read the full article click HERE.

HOWES’ GOAL
If you somehow have not managed to see this goal – here it is. Set up by former Sea Dog 42 goal scorer Scott Howes.



ANTHONY NAMED STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Vancouver Canucks prospect Steven Anthony was named the Sea Dogs’ Scholastic Player of The Month on Wednesday. Anthony is attending courses at UNBSJ. This is the second time this season he got the monthly honor.

This initiative’s goal, which was developed by the QMJHL and its member clubs, is to recognize student athletes’ performances both on the ice and in the classroom.

“Steven succeeded two University courses this semester while playing major junior hockey,” said a QMJHL press release. “He had excellent marks in both courses and hopes to pursue his degree in business.”

NAVY NIGHT ANNOUNCED
PRESS RELEASE
The Saint John Sea Dogs have announced that the team’s January 30 home game versus the Val-d'Or Foreurs has been designated Salute to the Navy Night in honour of the Canadian Navy Centennial.

A special ceremony paying tribute to the Canadian Navy’s 100th anniversary will be held at Harbour Station prior to the Saturday night match. Throughout the evening, fans will also be able to visit a display booth on the arena concourse which will highlight Canada rich naval history, to which Saint John has contributed greatly.

FULLERTON WINS NATIONAL AWARD
Travis Fullerton of the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds was named the Canadian interuniversity Sport male athlete of the week Wednesday. Fullerton, a former Saint John Sea Dog, turned aside 77 of 79 shots as UNB defeated Saint Mary's and Acadia in conference action last weekend. The second-year goalie lead the Atlantic University Sport with a 1.88 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Fullerton, who played in 76 games for the Sea Dogs between 2006-08, was named the university's male athlete of the week on Monday after backstopping the country's No. 1 rated men's university hockey team to 6-1 and 2-1 victories.

THANK-YOU
A letter to the editor in the Telegraph-Journal reported that Saint John Sea Dogs fans threw over 3,000 teddy bears on to the ice during the annual teddy bear toss night. The bears were given to numerous children’s charities throughout the Saint John area in time for the Christmas holidays.

Also, fans were thanked in the Sea Dogs’ newsletter this week:

On behalf of the Canadian Red Cross Society I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Saint John Sea Dogs and their wonderful fans for showing incredible generosity during last weekend's home games. Nearly seven thousand dollars was raised over the course of the two days, with all of the proceeds going directly to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Fund.

Thanks again for your support, and go Sea Dogs go!

All the best,
Cynthia Reiker
Canadian Red Cross Society

PARTY AT THE CO-OP
Several members of the Saint John Sea Dogs will be taking part in a special autograph signing at three Co-op Atlantic locations on Sunday, February 7 from 2 - 4pm.

Star forwards Michael Kirkpatrick and Nick Petersen will be signing autographs at the regional grocery chain's Kennebecasis Valley location, while rookie defenseman Pierre Durepos and Ottawa Senators prospect Mike Hoffman will be appearing in Grand Bay. Veteran blue-liner Christian Morin and overage Marco Cousineau, meanwhile, will be on hand at the Saint John store to mingle with fans.