Sea Dogs Notebook

TONIGHT

According to a tweet from the Sea Dogs, Ryan Tesink, Oliver Cooper, Grant West and mascot Fleaburn will all be at Arby's from 5 – 6pm this evening for an autograph session.

UP NEXT

The Sea Dogs travel to Moncton tomorrow to face the Wildcats at 7pm. Saint John enters the game on a 12-game winning streak.

The Rivalry Cup is nearing an end with just two meetings left in the season series. According to the Dog Bytes Newsletter, “with the Social Media Challenge going to Moncton, Cup scoring now sits at 16.5-14.5 for Moncton.”

On Sunday, the Sea Dogs return home to face the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles at 3pm at the Station. Sundays are Family Fun Days and four-ticket packs are available for $46. Tickets are selling quickly for the match.

TWEETIN’

Sea Dogs president Wayne Long joined Twitter on Wednesday, making his first tweet at approximately 12:28pm. You can follow him @WayneLongSJ.

"After the sweep we had of the Saltys, I felt I should be part of the conversation," said Long in the Sea Dogs’ newsletter. "We have become a social media leader in the community and it just made sense to be a part of it."

Long’s second tweet was one of interest.

From what we’ve heard, the third jerseys are quite awesome.

BU TROUBLES

Charlie Coyle’s former team continues to have off-ice troubles.

On Sunday, Boston University defenseman Max Nicastro was arrested. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape at a Brighton District Court arraignment Tuesday morning. According to the Daily Fress’ BU hockey blog, Nicastro has been suspended indefinitely from the team.

In December, forward Corey Trivino was arrested on indecent assault and battery charges. He was suspended as well.

Now, according to the Associated Press, “Boston University is forming a task force to study the ‘culture and climate’ of its men's hockey team after two players were arrested for allegedly assaulting female students this season.”

“These charges, if ultimately substantiated, involve reprehensible acts,” said university president Robert Brown in a letter to students, trustees and employees. “The charges in these cases understandably lead to questions about whether the hockey team’s culture and climate have contributed in some way to the actions of the two individuals. The University must address these questions and, if deficiencies are identified, make appropriate and necessary changes.”

In the standings, BU sits third with a record of 14-8-1 in Hockey East play and an 18-11-1 overall record.

COYLE

Speaking of Coyle, the Minnesota Wild blog ‘HockeyWilderness’ lists the Sea Dogs forward as a prospect who could be moved at the trade deadline if a deal came along. But that certainly doesn’t mean he will be traded.

“Bottom line? Don't expect any of these forwards to be traded but you never know. If the Wild decide to push for the playoffs, you need to give to get, and Coyle has very good value in him.”

The Wild acquired Coyle from the San Jose Sharks at the NHL Entry Draft last summer.

ON THE MOVE?

Over at Sportsnet.ca, Patrick King has a massive article on prospects who could be used as trade bait by Monday’s NHL trade deadline. It is a huge article, basically pointing out each team’s best four prospects.

In it, King lists Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida), Charlie Coyle (Minnesota), Zack Phillips (Minnesota), Nathan Beaulieu (Montreal), and Simon Despres (Pittsburgh) as prospects who could be used as trade bait in the coming days. The list features 120 players

And speaking of trade bait, here's Jay Onrait's Jimmy Fallon-ish trade bait song…

TOP 10 D-MEN

Hockey’s Future has named Sea Dogs Nathan Beaulieu and Charles Roussel among the top 10 defensemen in the QMJHL this season. Beaulieu is ranked second and Roussel 10^th.

“A silky-smooth skater, Beaulieu's heads-up play is an attribute both offensively and defensively,” writes Kevin Forbes. “A great puck-mover, he can also unload a big shot that makes him a dangerous threat on the power play. Due to his late 1992 birthday, Beaulieu could make the jump to pro hockey as early as next season and the Montreal Canadiens are sure to welcome him with open arms.”

“Roussel has posted 12 goals and 36 points in 49 games, but more importantly appears to be playing with much more confidence compared to last season,” writes Forbes. “Saint John expects to have another long playoff run as they defend both their QMJHL title and their Memorial Cup championship and Roussel can only benefit from that experience.”

NUMBERS

There are a couple of Sea Dogs related notes in this weeks “Interesting Numbers” write-up on the QMJHL website.

The Saint John Sea Dogs – Have they become invincible? They have won their last 12 games and during this sequence, they have scored 57 goals and allowed a mere 18... 

Jonathan Huberdeau (SNB) – In February, he has proven to be a tornado, maintaining an average of 2.5 points per game (18 points in 7 games). 

Nathan Beaulieu (SNB) - The Montreal Canadians’ top pick in June 2011 accounts for 11 passes in 7 games in February. 

Nathan Beaulieu (SNB) - His next pass will allow him to beat the lifetime record for passes by a Sea Dogs defenseman (109) which he currently shares with Simon Després.

TURK

Lastly, here’s Gerard Gallant talking about the stretch run to John Moore.