Notebook: Friday Trading Aftermath

SHERBROOKE, Que. - On Friday, the Sea Dogs officially picked up the 15^th overall pick from Charlottetown, meaning the Dogs now have two first-round picks for Saturday's draft.

Having two first-round picks in nothing new for Saint John. The Sea Dogs selected twice in 2007 (Simon Despres and Steven Anthony), 2009 (Pierre Durepos and Jonathan Huberdeau), 2012 (Matthew Highmore and Olivier LeBlanc) and 2013 (Nathan Noel and Will Thompson).

Of note, each time the Dogs have had two first rounders they picked a forward and a defenseman.

COOPER AFTERMATH

Islanders general manager Grant Sonier told The Guardian that he believes the price his club paid to acquire Oliver Cooper was appropriate.

“People might suggest we paid a lot for him, I’m going to suggest otherwise," Sonier said. "To go through the league and find six-foot-three, 30-goal scorers that have character, it’s a very short list.”

Cooper led Saint John in scoring last season with 28 goals and 29 assists in 68 games. With Cooper gone, Matthew Highmore is the only returning player that had over 40 points (he had 50 in 68 games).

YOUNG SPEAKS

The Sea Dogs website has a solid interview with Sea Dogs general manager Darrell Young conducted by Tim Roszell. In the interview, Young discusses each deal, some of the free agents that are coming in for training camp, and offers an early outlook on next year’s squad.

GOLF

.@seadogshockey coach Ross Yates, assts. Jeff Cowan and Greg Leland, and Gov. Joe Richard at Q Draft golf tourney!! pic.twitter.com/av1fchPMOy
— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SeaDogsHockey) May 30, 2014

CHILLER

The federal government helped fund a new ice plant chiller at Harbour Station and they want you to know about it. The thing is quite expensive.

“The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $81,497 under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), while the Harbour Station Commission is contributing $126,829,” states a press release.

That’s literally cool news, I guess.

BEAULIEU

Nathan Beaulieu and the Montreal Canadiens had their season come to an end on Thursday night, losing Game 6 1-0 to the New York Rangers and dropping the series 4-2.

Beaulieu didn’t record any points or shots in 13:37 of ice time. Overall, he recorded two assists in seven post-season games with the Habs.

Nathan Beaulieu can really, really skate. Going from an injured Emelin to him is like upgrading from a paddleboat to a jet ski.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 28, 2014

ABBOTT

Dogs defenseman Michael Abbott tweeted some good news Friday:

Hand is finally healed after 6 months in a cast ! Can't wait to get back on the ice and start training with @RyanPowerPCI !!!
— Michael Abbott (@mikeyboiabbott) May 30, 2014

He last played November 30^th. He will be an overage player this season.

STAIRS

On Saint John’s pre-season roster that is posted online, the roster includes 17-year old Woodstock native Caleb Stairs. The left winger had one goal, two assists, and 96 penalty minutes in 28 games with the Fredericton Canadiens of the NB/PEI Major Midget Hockey League last season.

EICHEL

This week in Jack Eichel news:

Sonny Milano on linemate/2015 draft eligible C Jack Eichel: "The power is natural. It's hard to explain how good a player he is" @usahockey
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) May 29, 2014

So there’s that.

HUBERDEAU

The Florida Panthers website has an infographic about Jonathan Huberdeau’s draft year.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation