Sea Dogs Notebook

SI

You know it’s a lockout year when Sports Illustrated has a three page article on the Canadian Hockey League. On the third page, they preview the QMJHL.

Not surprisingly, Jonathan Huberdeau is called a player to watch. They also have three Sea Dogs games as games to watch this season.

Oct. 17, Saint John at Quebec: The league's top-two drafted stars, Huberdeau and Grigorenko, face off. 

Dec. 2, Rimouski at Saint John: Rematch of last spring's title series that saw the Sea Dogs romp. 

Dec. 31, Moncton at Saint John: The Rivalry Cup contested between the Q's two New Brunswick-based teams heats up with the second-half of a home-and-home series.

PETERSEN
Former Sea Dog Nick Petersen (pictured) scored the first goal in Orlando Solar Bears East Coast Hockey League history last night. Petersen scored at 15:45 of the second period on a power play to begin an impressive comeback for the Solar Bears. Petersen also assisted on Orlando's final goal at 19:29 of the third which would send the game to overtime where the Florida Everblades would eventually win 5-4.

ACADEMY

The Sea Dogs finally announced all the details about “Sea Dogs Academy” yesterday. All the details can be found here.

BEAULIEU

It didn’t take former Sea Dogs defenseman Nathan Beaulieu long in his professional career to get some battle wounds. 25Stanley.com has that story.

COYLE

The Minnesota Wild website had a big time article on former Sea Dog Charlie Coyle on Thursday. It mostly talks about his days growing up in Massachusetts.

JURCO

Matthew Sherwood has a cool photo of Tomas Jurco from the NHLPA’s Rookie Showcase on his blog.

PAIGE

This certainly came out of nowhere this week. Kyle Paige, who played 11 games with Saint John in 2008-09, has been named an assistant coach of the East Coast Hockey League’s San Francisco Bulls.

“Kyle is a great addition to the hockey operations staff,” said President and Head Coach Pat Curcio. “He’s young and eager to get his coaching career underway. I know Kyle is going to be a quick learner and will mature into a quality head coach in the near future.”

Paige, now 24, had a goal and two assists during his time with the Sea Dogs.

The Bulls, who are affiliated with the San Jose Sharks, play the Bakersfield Condors tonight to open the season.

GELINAS

Todd Cordell, who covers the New Jersey Devils for Hockey Buzz, reports that former Sea Dog Eric Gelinas is expected to start the new AHL season on the injury list.

“Eric Gelinas was hit in the lower part of his face with a puck during Albany's preseason game against Binghamton,” writes Cordell. “Gelinas underwent minor surgery after breaking his jaw, according to Albany GM Chris Lamoriello. There is no set timetable on how long Gelinas will be out for but he will miss some regular season games.”

“They had to brace and support any damage that was done there that was out of line,” Lamoriello told NorthJersey.com. “But there were no alignment issues with the jaw. It was just making sure everything was braced properly, so when it is healing it’s healing properly.”

Gelinas had an impressive 37 points in 75 games with the Albany Devils last season and is viewed as one of New Jersey’s top prospects by most scouting services.

MOORE

“The News” in Pictou County had an article on Jordan Moore this week. Moore, currently playing Junior ‘A’ with the Weeks Crushers, played two regular season and four playoff games with the Sea Dogs last season.

“I learned a lot of stuff from Mike Kelly, the assistant coach, who is now the head coach there and a lot from the players that were on the team,” said Moore. “I was in the gym five days a week over the summer and also had the opportunity to be on the ice four or five hours a day helping other kids. It just really helped my game being on the ice all the time.”

Moore has three goals and four assists in 11 MHL games this season.

DUDA

New Sea Dogs defenseman Steven Duda was featured in The Hockey News “Hot List” earlier this week.

“An interesting player to watch because of this precedent: last year blueliner Troy Vance went from the Eastern Jr. League to Victoriaville and parlayed that experience into a podium call from Dallas at the draft,” writes Ryan Kennedy. “Duda also comes from the EJHL and brings a 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame to Saint John. He even had an assist in his second game. Draft eligible in 2013.”

Duda has recorded an assist in three games.

Thanks to Emily for the Beaulieu link; Barb for the Jurco link

Photo: Solar Bears website