SN Staff
What will be considered as one of the best three-year
runs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has come to an end for the Saint
John Sea Dogs. Three Jean Rougeau trophies, two President's Cups and one
Memorial Cup championships is a feat not likely repeated anytime soon.
With the 2011-12 season behind us, let's take a look at
some story lines for next season.
ASSETS: After a successful three-year run, it’s unlikely
the Sea Dogs will be as dominant in the 2012-13 season, but its won’t be a
complete rebuild either. Players such as Stanislav Galiev, Tomas Jurco, Charlie
Coyle, Zack Phillips and Jonathan Huberdeau will most likely be gone, but the
cupboards aren’t bare.
Oliver Cooper gained a lot of experience playing on the
veteran laden team and should be able to assume a bigger role next season. On
defence, Pierre Durepos and Kevin Gagne will be back as 20-year-olds and
extremely intriguing players for potential trades depending on the situation at
the trade deadline and at the draft.
Mackenzie Brown had a strong campaign with the Woodstock
Slammers which should benefit him greatly as he tries to make the jump to full-time
Sea Dog. Sebastien Auger is looking like the guy who will be between the pipes,
but count on the coaching staff to bring in some talent to challenge the
incumbent. News 889 play-by-play man Tim Roszell name-checked Stephen Anderson
and Benjamin Hade as two guys to watch for when training camp begins.
The Dogs could also have Stephen MacAulay and Ryan Tesink
return. The duo, along with Durepos and Gagne should form the leadership core
of the team. Those two forwards would also be much sought after by any team
looking to make a run at the President’s Cup.
EUROPEANS: The past three seasons have seen two of the
top European junior players skating in Sea Dogs sweaters in Jurco and Galiev.
Those two likely won’t be returning, but the Sea Dogs
have the 52 and 112th picks in the CHL Import Draft. While the picks aren’t
high, order doesn’t matter as much as convincing your picks to leave home and
come to North America to pursue an NHL career. Mike Kelly has proven adept at
being able to do this and with Saint John making its name the past three years
as an exemplary CHL franchise with loads of NHL drafted players, more Europeans
might be inclined to call the Port City home.
What this does is make fans wonder how many times this
type of error has taken place during the season. The reason to go upstairs is
to get the call right. The QMJHL has experienced staff monitoring the
officiating, so there are people in place who can guide the league and perhaps
even draft some policies for review. This needs to be taken care of because it
goes to the integrity of the game. It’s a major concern and one the league hopefully
takes a serious look at this summer.
TRANSPARENCY: The league did a good job this year
explaining suspensions and how they were reached, but only do this for
suspensions of three games or more. I think the policy should be amended and
all suspensions explained.
This way it provides clarity for the team and fans as
well as sets out identifiable precedents.
TOP TEAMS: I fully expect the Halifax Moosehads and
Quebec Remparts to battle it out for the Jean Rougeau trophy and President’s
Cup in the 2012-13 season. With loads of young talent, both teams got the
necessary playoff experience and heartbreak some teams need to experience
before winning.
Expect Nathan MacKinnon to battle for the league scoring
championship.
My early prediction is the Mooseheads will hold off the
Remparts for the President’s Cup. Should that happen it would mark the fourth
year in a row the Maritimes hoisted the President’s Cup. A dark horse to ruin
the plans of Halifax and Quebec City are the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation
Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation
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