Notebook: Feels Like Christmas Eve

The big day is almost here.

Tomorrow morning, the Sea Dogs will (unless a trade happens) take the stage in Sherbrooke and make the first overall pick in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Shawinigan reporter Steve Turcotte published his first-round mock draft yesterday and he, like most, has the Sea Dogs selecting offensive defenseman Luke Green first overall. He then has Pascal Laberge going second overall and Samuel Girard third.

Some other notes on the eve of the draft…

• Some cool numbers tweeted out by the Sea Dogs the other day: "@SeaDogsHockey have selected 113 players in their nine previous drafts. 64 of them have played at least one game for the team."
• The Sea Dogs website has an article on Yann Sauve and what it was like to be selected first overall in 2006.
• Willy Palov’s Friday column in the Chronicle Herald is on the Sea Dogs’ rebuild. “They are still at least one more year away from competing for a league title again, but their star nucleus is taking shape and there is at least light at the end of the tunnel for fans,” writes Palov.
• Metro Halifax has an article on the two Newbridge Academy teammates – defenseman Luke Green and goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick – who are expected to go high in Saturday’s draft. The article also discusses Green’s twin brother, Matt.
• Buzzing The Net previews the draft and some of the storylines heading into the weekend.
• As Islanders Country reports, the Gatineau Olympiques and Charlottetown Islanders were involved in a trading issue involving Vaclav Karabacek. Bizarre to see a team that isn't the Sea Dogs involved in this kind of issue.
• Import Evgeny Svechnikov has committed to play for the Screaming Eagles next season. He was the 63^rd overall pick in last year’s CHL Import Draft.
• The Wildcats announced yesterday that Russian Vladimir Tkachev will be returning to the club next season. He recorded 10 goals and 20 assists in 20 games with Moncton last season.
• Another reminder: the trading period opens today and the Entry Draft takes place tomorrow at 11am Atlantic time. We will have all day coverage here and over on the Twitter machine.