SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

GALIEV TOPS HOT LIST
Stanislav Galiev was named the number one prospect in The Hockey News’ weekly Hot List of NHL prospects. The article had some interesting stuff about Galiev and his English as well. Here is what they had to say.

With 54 points in 55 games, Galiev is one of the top-scoring rookies in the Quebec League this year, but what is most impressive is the plus-34 rating he brings to the table.

Not that Galiev didn’t have a bit of a head start – he played for the United States League-champion Indiana Ice last season, where he won a Clark Cup and began to adjust to North American life, even if it was tough to be a Russian teen in America’s heartland.

“At first it was so hard,” Galiev said. “You miss your friends, you miss your parents, but later on (that season) it was easier. On the ice, you forget about everything.”

And Galiev can have the same effect on fans. The dazzling pivot has become a premier setup man in the ‘Q,’ dishing out 40 assists already this year. He cites his skill set and vision as his best assets and still wants to work on his defensive-zone coverage. A quick student, he has even graduated out of ESL (English as a second language) classes in Saint John thanks to his improving English. The youngster also has a rare chance to win titles in two different junior leagues in consecutive years.

“It’s awesome because it was my first season in the U.S.,” Galiev said of last year’s Clark Cup. “This year we will keep working for the Memorial Cup.”

As for any worries about the center ducking back to Russia in the future, his words about the NHL draft seem to betray his choice.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m so excited.”

To view the entire article click HERE.

TICKETS TO SEASON V AWARDS BANQUET NOW ON SALE
The amazing success of the 2009-10 Saint John Sea Dogs will be honoured on Monday, March 15 during a special awards banquet at the Delta Brunswick Hotel. A limited number of single tickets ($65/$50) and full tables ($490/$375) are available for this special evening, which will feature a buffet-style meal as well as a video tribute to the Sea Dogs’ fifth anniversary regular season. For information on acquiring tickets to the Sea Dogs' Season V Awards Banquet, call Trisha Erb at 632-9260.

YOU GOTTA BELIEVE FOLKS
It appears many team's in the QMJHL could care less that Saint John is ranked number one in the country. In a recent article in The Hockey News, three team officials from different teams predicted either Moncton or Victoriaville to win it all.

Chicoutimi coach Richard Martel has stated his predictions before, saying Victoriaville will beat Moncton in the league final. Baie-Comeau coach Stephane Hains thinks the teams will be ranked Moncton at number one followed by Rouyn-Noranda and then Saint John will the Tigres trailing.
Bathurst general manager Sylvain Couturier said “it could be an all-New Brunswick league final.” He thinks that Moncton will edge Saint John if that were to happen.

FAN BUS TO MONCTON
A message from the folks at the Sea Dogs Fan Bus:

Join us as we travel to Moncton to close out the 2009-2010 season on top of the league! We will depart from Saint John at 5pm sharp for this exciting nationally televised game starting at 8pm. We will have two pickup/dropoff locations for you to choose from - Rothesay Avenue Superstore in Saint John and the KV Comex parking lot. (Parkside drive @ entrance to Quispamsis Trailer Park).

The price for this trip is $45 per person which includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation and your game ticket.

To register, a non-refundable deposit of $20 will hold your seat, with the remaining balance due by Wednesday, March 3rd. Please drop by the bus trip table on the concourse behind Section K at any upcoming home game or call Lori at (506) 650-9508 or email lathornt@nbnet.nb.ca

Please feel free to forward this message along to family/friends. The more the merrier!

*** Please Note *** A minimum number of registrants is required for this trip to proceed. If not met, the trip may be cancelled at which time refunds will be given. This is the only instance in which a refund will be issued.

PALOV: SAINT JOHN 2012 FAVOURITE
Chronicle-Herald reporter Willy Palov likes Saint John’s chances of winning the bid to host the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

“From the way it looks right now, I’d say the Sea Dogs are the clear early favourites of those two. They’ve been angling for this tournament ever since they came into the league in 2005 and have done everything right to prove they would be a solid host.

“They have the right size rink, a good fan base, strong corporate support, a quality team and excellent infrastructure in the city. That’s not to say the Eagles don’t offer the same pluses, but they haven’t been as active in recent years making their intentions known.”

To read the full article click HERE.

MOOSEHEADS HURTING ENTERING CONTEST
As the Sea Dogs head to Halifax for a date with the Herd on Wednesday, the Mooseheads are dropping like flies after a rough weekend. According to John Moore, Peter Delmas (reaggrevated hip) Garret Clarke (hip) and Pascal Amyot (shoulder) are all day to day. Carl Gelinas (knee) and Jessyko Bernard (abdominal) are out for a minimum of one week.

PETERSEN, KIRKPATRICK STILL ROLLING
Nicholas Petersen still leads all QMJHL players in TSN’s weekly Player Rankings. Petersen comes in a number one with a score of 94.89. Michael Kirkpatrick is ranked seventh with a score of 84.86.

To view the full rankings click HERE.

POLL RESULTS
This week’s question: who has had the best moves in the shootout this season?
Tomas Jurco- 11
Mike Hoffman- 2
Jonathan Huberdeau- 14
None- 1

PROMOTIONS PICKING UP
Sunday’s match against Rimouski has been designated "Journée Des Francofans," with the latest hit music from Canadian Francophone artists set to be played throughout the afternoon. Saint John’s vibrant French-speaking community will also be spotlighted throughout the game.

The March 3rd game against PEI has been designated “Faith and Family Night.”