Sea Dogs Notebook

CALGARY

Here’s Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi wearing a Sea Dogs jersey because why not.

Great meeting Mayor @nenshi in his beautiful city. Hoping we can convert him to a @seadogshockey fan! #EnergyEast twitter.com/cwdever/status…
— Christopher Dever (@cwdever) May 14, 2013

TWO YEARS AGO

It was two years ago last night that the Sea Dogs won their first President Cup. Alexandre Beauregard scored at 15:45 of double-overtime to give the Dogs a 3-2 victory and 4-2 series win over the Gatineau Olympiques.

In one of the greatest Sea Dogs games ever played, Saint John was down 2-1 late in the third. But at 19:37 and Jacob DeSerres on the bench, a great pass from Stanislav Galiev found Jonathan Huberdeau who tied the match up to send it into OT.

Amazing game. Amazing series.

MACAULAY

Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino has picked former Sea Dog Stephen MacAulay as one of his sleeper picks heading into the Memorial Cup.

“How can a guy who’s played in each of the last four President’s Cup finals be a sleeper,” writes Cosentino. “Easy, he plays with two of the top three draft eligible players in Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon. MacAulay is as dependable as they come. He’s played in two MasterCard Memorial Cups so he won’t be rattled by the big stage. He’s versatile as a winger or centre, and he’s capable of being a difference maker on special teams.”

Halifax plays their first game of the tournament on Saturday night against the Portland Winterhawks. The host Saskatoon Blades face the London Knights in the opener on Friday.

JURCO

The Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown had an article on Tomas Jurco this week.

“Six months ago Jurco wasn't close to being ready for an NHL call up, but after seeing his impressive progress this season, I wouldn't be surprised if he's near, or at the top of, the call up list for next year,” they write.

The former Sea Dogs forward had 14 goals and 14 assists in 74 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. He also has three goals and two assists in eight playoff games.

The Griffins are up 2-1 in their Western Conference playoff series against the Toronto Marlies thanks to a 5-4 win last night. Jurco had three shots in the game.

Speaking of Jurco, here is the latest Griffins video featuring the Slovak.

Frankenstick! ft. Tomas Jurco & Co. from griffinshockey on Vimeo.

MEM CUP

Real good article from The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy on some of the controversial Memorial Cup hosting decisions made over the past few years. You should read that.

HOFFMAN

Hockey’s Future calls Mike Hoffman the 17^th best prospect in the Ottawa Senators system.

“One of the fastest skaters in the Ottawa system, Hoffman lives and dies with his speed,” writes Jason Chen. “Versatile enough to play all three forward positions but best used as a winger, Hoffman also possesses an above average shot. While it will never be mistaken for Brett Hull's, which Saint John Sea Dogs coach Gerard Gallant once compared it to, Hoffman has the potential to be a 20-goal scorer in the NHL. He will however need to work on his strength and awareness if he wants to be an NHL regular. His two-way play needs work too, although that is something that can be developed with good skaters.”

Hoffman had 13 goals and 15 assists in 41 AHL games with the Binghamton Senators this year. He played in three games with the NHL Sens but did not record a point.