S.N. 2009-10 REPORT CARD

BY STATION NATION STAFF

Well, that was quite a season.

After 21 playoff games and 68 regular season games, it is time to issue the Station Nation Season Report Card as school gets out for summer.

Players come and players go, but the ones that stuck around this season certainly showed that the Saint John Sea Dogs are doing their jobs by producing solid hockey players. Many players improved as the year went on, some stayed the same, while others took a nose dive.

Below, in no particular order, are our thoughts on the Sea Dogs of 2009-2010. There will be a brief summary followed by a grade and a preview of what each player may be like next year.

GOALTENDERS

Marco Cousineau – By far the biggest trade by the Sea Dogs at the holiday trading session. Cousineau lived up to his billing, making some huge saves at huge times. His performance in game four of the President’s Cup Final was stuff of legend.

Grade: A+

Next Season: He’s going pro somewhere. Anaheim didn’t have a designated AHL team this season.

Karel St. Laurent – His regular season stats may show that he had a solid year as backup goaltender, but St. Laurent battled hard with consistency. There were often two Sea Dogs teams: the one that played in front of Cousineau/Gelinas and the one that played in front of St. Laurent. The lanky backstop showed signs of brilliance at times, but at other moments struggled to stop a beach ball.

Grade: B-

Next Season: The Sea Dogs will have to make a decision on their goaltending before the draft. St. Laurent may not be in those plans.

DEFENSEMAN
Yann Sauve – Inconsistent. At times Sauve showed why he was drafted first overall in the 2006 QMJHL Entry Draft. But at other times, the Vancouver Canucks draft pick really struggled in his own end. Also had a few brutal playoff games.

Grade: B

Next Season: Most think he is going to go pro but the Canucks are very confused when it comes to player development. It should be noted that Mike Hoffman, Nicholas Petersen, and Nicola Riopel all returned as overagers last year.

Simon Despres – The Pittsburgh Penguins first round pick had another strong campaign. This season, the Big Horse finally began to show some more of his offensive abilities along with his stellar play in his own end. Placed a few memorable open ice hits on opposing players.

Grade: A-

Next Season: He’ll be back on the blue line and will looked upon to lead a young – but developed defense core.

Gabriel Bourret – A bit of a surprise to even make the club, Bourret played some key minutes as a rookie this season. Played most of the year as the extra defenseman but did well with limited playing time.

Grade: B

Next Season: Could be a regular on the blue line if some things align.

Kevin Gagne – “The short one” was a fan favorite again this year because of his speedy and determined play. The former Rothsay Netherwood standout showed once again he can play against the best – and the biggest in the league. We wish he could win some more battles in the corner, though.

Grade: B

Next Season: Gagne will hopefully be fully recovered from his playoff long knee injury. It will be his third year as a Sea Dog and should be logging some big minutes.

Pierre Durepos – We didn’t really notice Durepos on the ice much this season – which we consider to be a good thing for a defenseman. The young New Brunswicker was always steady and never seemed be too panic under pressure. He is also a fan of Station Nation which is a positive.

Grade: B+

Next Season: He’ll be back doing what he does best – playing with balloons that float down to ice level.

Nathan Beaulieu – Break out season for Beaulieu. The 17-year old left fans with no doubt in their minds that his father Jacques made the right move by drafting him two years ago. He had some great goals and great fights but needs to improve on his roots in the defensive zone.

Grade: A

Next Season: Could be his best yet with scouts watching the projected early round NHL draft prospect.

Christian Morin – He was the gritty defenseman that every team needs. Morin, acquired during the trading period without much fanfare, proved to be a key part of the penalty kill turnaround. Blocked a lot of shots and got hit in the face about 30 times in the playoffs.

Grade: A

Next Season: Could be back as a 20-year old but a developed and young defensive core stands in his way.

FORWARDS

Mike Hoffman – This guy is legit. Easily the most skilled player to play in a Sea Dogs uniform in their five year history. He makes it look so easy, making fools of opposing defenseman. Very fast and has the ability to score any time he has the puck.

Grade: A+

Next Season: Likely headed to the Baby Sens of the AHL. Reports out of Ottawa say that the Senators will be signing him shortly.

Nicolas Petersen – Had a strong start, a strong finish, and did well everywhere in between. Petersen lived up to expectations and was excellent all season on the big line with Hoffman and Stanislav Galiev. Scoring the biggest goal in franchise history (OT goal in Game 4 vs Moncton) doesn’t hurt his cause.

Grade: A+

Next Season: Likely off to somewhere within the Penguins organization.

Stephen MacAulay – MacAulay proved his worth this season with his hard working play. He quietly put up some solid offensive numbers while not playing on a line that he designed to score goals. Most scouting agencies have him ranked to go in the late rounds of this year’s draft.

Grade: B+

Next Season: Hopefully will continue to develop from last season’s success.

Nicholas Pard – Despite breaking his foot in the playoffs and getting in a scrap at a Sean Kingston concert, Pard had an impressive season. We were impressed all season (especially in the second half) with his defensive play on the penalty kill.

Grade: A-

Next Season: In a situation similar to Alexandre Leduc’s last year. He could stick as a 20-year old if the Dogs think it is the right move.

Steven Anthony – It looked liked Anthony might finally have a breakout season, but a nagging groin injury put an end to that. After a hot start, the Canucks draft pick never really found his game again and could not defeat his old nemesis: consistency.

Grade: B-

Next Season: His name has already been thrown around in trade rumors.

Mike Thomas – Captain, warrior, and the QMJHL’s poster boy for violence in hockey. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a DVD of all his suspensions played in training camps across the league to show “what not to do.” He can still score big goals and fight with the best of them when he is not in detention.

Grade: B+

Next Season: Just like Brett Gallant, his roll is slowly being pinched out by the QMJHL. It will certainly be interesting to see if he sticks as an overager.

Danick Gauthier – Become a legend in the QMJHL Final by scoring several big goals. A gritty forward that isn’t afraid to take or place a big hit. He could hear his name called at the draft in June.

Grade: B+

Next Season: He will be back.

Aidan Kelly – Didn’t play much but did his role under limited ice time. Could be a third to fourth liner next season.

Grade: B

Next Season: He could be a regular in the lineup next year with a strong training camp.

Will Johnston – What a beast. Johnston showed that he can do more than just fight in the playoffs and has some okay offensive skills. His fight with Kalin Paul of the Screaming Eagles was a season highlight.

Grade: B-

Next Season: We’ll be stunned if he is back next season.

Chuckie Schembri – Showed some offensive skills in the playoffs by notching two goals and worked well while playing on the fourth line. He had a wild year in the QMJHL after being kicked off the Mooseheads during training camp.

Grade: B

Next Season: Like Johnston, we’ll be shocked to see him back.

Zack Phillips – He was certainly worth the price at the entry draft. Like many rookies, Phillips stuttered a bit to start the year but quickly turned it up. The Fredericton native showed signs of brilliance at times and will be a key part in the Sea Dogs’ 2012 Memorial Cup run.

Grade: B+

Next Season: Will be looked upon to play a more offensive roll with Hoffman and Petersen gone.

Stanislav Galiev – Depending on who you ask, Galiev had either an excellent rookie campaign or a disappointing first year. He is a solid skater and certainly has some offensive skills that could make him a force next year. Could play smarter at times on odd man rushes.

Grade: A-

Next Season: Could have a breakout year with the confidence of being affiliated with a NHL team.

Tomas Jurco – Set a Sea Dogs record for goals in a single season by a rookie. Jurco had a solid campaign, capped off by his jaw dropping shootout moves. Played in the shadows of Hoffman, Petersen, and Galiev for most of the year but is another key piece in the quest for 2012 glory.

Grade: B+

Next Season: Should be getting more ice time next year. With chicken pox not standing in his way, Jurco could break out.

Jonathan Huberdeau – Another shootout artist that lived up to expectations this year. He was said to be a “franchise player” entering the draft last year and could certainly lay the foundation for that next season. The boy lives to score goals.

Grade: B+

Next Season: In only his second year, he will be looked upon to help generate some offense.

Michael Kirkpatrick – The Sea Dogs veteran once again played out of the spotlight this season. Kirkpatrick, who led the league in playoff scoring, got off to a frustrating start but slowly turned his season around while playing on the second line. Showed that he can be a play maker as well as a goal scorer.

Grade: A+

Next Season: If Kirkpatrick does not turn pro, he could easily rip up the league. If the captain position is vacant, “Captain Kirk” could become reality.

NOTES: Olivier Ouellet quit school and was not given a report card… we could not speak about Marc-Antoine Gelinas without breaking out in tears… Benjamin Lecomte was forgotten… Tyrone Sock played, like, five minutes all year… Alexandre Leduc was also forgotten.