DRAFT TIME IN THE 'Q'

VICTORIAVILLE, Que. – The celebration has ended for the Saint John Sea Dogs and now it’s time to start looking towards next season. The stride towards the 2011-12 campaign begins this weekend in Victoriaville at the 2011 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft.

Saint John will have nine picks in Saturday’s Entry Draft. Their highest pick – pending any trades – will be made in the second round, 36th overall. The Sea Dogs are without a first round because it was sent to Rouyn-Noranda in the Alexandre Beauregard trade.

Here’s where Saint John will be selecting on Saturday:

Round 2 – 36th overall
Round 3 – 50th overall
Round 4 – 72nd overall
Round 5 – 90th overall
Round 6 – 99th overall
Round 8 – 144th overall
Round 9 – 162nd overall
Round 10 – 180th overall
Round 11 – 198th overall

With the Lewiston Maineiacs folding yesterday, we’ll assume all of these picks will move up slightly.

The Maineiacs’ dispersal draft has added a whole other element to draft weekend as their roster will be divided up amongst the 17 remaining teams. The draft is expected to be held on Friday but the format has yet to be announced.

Then of course there is the possibility of trades. There has been one rumor going around since Christmas that would see either Danick Gauthier or Steven Anthony sent to Chicoutimi to complete the Eric Gelinas trade. But who knows if that will materialize.

Then during Sunday’s championship game of the Memorial Cup, rumors started buzzing around Twitter that Gabriel Bourret would be traded to the Sagueneens for a second round pick in the draft.

It’s going to be an exciting and interesting few days as the Dogs try and set themselves up for a second straight championship.