Sea Dogs Notebook

ROOKIE SHOWCASE

The NHLPA’s Facebook page has some photos from their annual Rookie Showcase held in Toronto earlier this week. Former Sea Dogs Nathan Beaulieu, Charlie Coyle, and Tomas Jurco all took part in the event. They signed a bunch of hockey cards and stuff, had photos taken, and played some NHL 13.

CAPS

Stanislav Galiev is the third best prospect in the Washington Capitals organization, according to Hockey Prospectus.

“Galiev is a highly skilled player who has the ability to be an asset in the transition game and as a puck possessor,” writes Corey Pronman. “He's a high-end skater who can really jet through the neutral zone. Galiev also shows the ability to be a flashy player with the puck, showing impressive hands and the ability to be a quality passer, at times flashing plus ability in that area. Galiev has a very good shot and can score from a distance. He's become a more consistent player and tends to show desirable work ethic in his own end and in the physical game.”

Galiev will likely play for the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears this season. The Bears showed off their new logo and jerseys yesterday.

GAGNE

According to the Edmundston radio station CFAI FM, Sea Dogs defenseman Kevin Gagne has received an invitation to attend Montreal Canadiens rookie camp. The camp takes place next month, so obviously the NHL CBA junk could get in the way of the whole thing.

Gagne, 20, recorded a career high 35 points in 68 games last year. He added 15 points in 17 playoff games.

TOP 5

Rant Sports has named Jonathan Huberdeau one of the top five offensive Calder Trophy candidates.

“He makes the crisp passes, great stick handling abilities, has speed, and a solid shot,” writes Tony Moreno. “However at 6’1 he is only at 177 lbs and may be a little weak on the puck against players in the NHL.  If Huberdeau is able to prove his skills in training camp, his line mates can possibly be Kris Versteeg, Sean Bergenheim, Tomas Fleischmann, or Peter Mueller which could boost his numbers.”

HUBERDEAU

Not surprisingly, Jonathan Huberdeau was named the best prospect in the Florida Panthers system by Hockey Prospectus.

“Huberdeau is a special offensive talent who regularly finds ways to dazzle observers with his unique level of skill,” writes Corey Pronman. “He's got true plus-plus hands with the ability to make rapid moves with the puck effortlessly. Huberdeau is so creative and finds ways to freeze defenders in their place or have them make a mistake in their gap control.”

Kris Eberwein writes over at Yahoo! that the Panthers will have plenty of veterans to mix with their group of rookies.

LUKE ADAM

Marcus Cuomo got a pretty big congratulatory tweet on making the Sea Dogs roster.

@mcuomo10 Congrats on making the SeaDogs lineup kid! Enjoy the year and run @ob_43 over for me! Mabe he'll get mad and take a PIM #fatchance
— Luke Adam (@LukeJAdam) August 29, 2012

Adam, a fellow Newfoundlander, played 52 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season. He spent four years in the QMJHL including two with the St. John’s Fog Devils.

JURCO

Hockey’s Future named Tomas Jurco the third best prospect in the Detroit Red Wings organization.

“Do not be surprised if Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels soon adds the phrase "Jurconian dekes" to his repertoire,” writes Adam Schnepp. “The 19-year-old Jurco has elite stickhandling capabilities, reminiscent of current Red Wing Pavel Datsyuk.”

BEAULIEU

Plenty of Nathan Beaulieu videos from the NHLPA’s Rookie Showcase have hit the interweb.

The Hockey News website also has a video interview.

GRANT

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have re-signed former Sea Dogs captain Alex Grant to a one-year, two-way deal worth $525,000 at the NHL level.

Grant is coming off a solid year with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, recording 37 points in 61 regular season games. He added seven points in 12 playoff games.

Grant was a fourth round pick of the Penguins in the 2007 NHL Draft.

GALLANT

The QMJHL website has an article on former Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant. It’s either the same article or one very similar to the one that appeared in the Telegraph-Journal a while back.

SEA PUPS

This from the Sea Dogs:

The Saint John Sea Dogs are revamping the SUBWAY Sea Pups Club for the 2012-2013 season. We are starting earlier in the season as part of our plan to offer more to the Sea Pups! 

This year's Welcome Package includes a calendar of events, a fall bingo game card with prizes up for grabs, a BOGO (buy-one-get-one) voucher for early signups (by September 12th), a voucher for a six-inch SUBWAY sub and much, much more! 

Each month will feature activities and events before and after select Sea Dogs home game. These include: autograph and skating sessions with the players, themed parties and craft days!

All of this is included in the fee, only $25.00. You can sign up by phone (632-9260), by visiting the Sea Dogs office, second floor of Harbour Station or online by clicking HERE
 **The Sea Pups Kids Club is for kids 12 and under.

SEADOGSTV

A little late, but here’s a SeaDogsTV video on rookie camp.

Photo: NHLPA