Notebook: Memorial Cup Begins Tonight

The 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup begins tonight with the host London Knights taking on the Val-d’Or Foreurs, the champions on the QMJHL.

London has not played in 34 days. Val-d’Or clinched the President’s Cup on Tuesday night in Baie-Comeau. It’s going to a battle between the rested and the fresh.

Tonight’s game starts at 8pm and can be seen on Sportsnet.

Over at Yahoo Sports, former Sea Dogs forward and Memorial Cup veteran Stephen MacAulay offered his advice for those playing in this year’s tournament.

LEBLANC

Sea Dogs defenseman Olivier LeBlanc was among the players invited to the annual NHL Draft Combine.

According to NHL.com, “Dan Marr, the director of NHL Central Scouting, is anticipating the attendance of 119 players, including 101 North Americans, at the Combine from May 26-31.”

LeBlanc had seven goals and 26 assists in 56 games this past season. Saint John has not had a player selected in the NHL Draft since five were picked in 2011.

THE HABS

Nathan Beaulieu, Gerard Gallant, and the Montreal Canadiens are off to the Eastern Conference Final after eliminating the Boston Bruins in Game 7 on Wednesday night. The Habs will face the New York Rangers in the third-round.

Beaulieu registered his second assist of the playoffs in Game 7, helping setup Daniel Briere’s goal late in the third period to secure the win. As you’d expect, Beaulieu didn’t play a whole lot in the game, seeing just 7:57 of ice time. Milan Lucic did not appear to threaten his life in the hand shake line, which is great.

Premier David Alward watched at Rocky’s Sports Bar and was sporting a Beaulieu jersey.

@RockysSportsBar Where were you when @CanadiensMTL scored their second goal? We were with @PremierNB pic.twitter.com/eC5H9dsKB3
— Rockys (@RockysSportsBar) May 15, 2014

The Conference Final begins tomorrow.

COYLE

The Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past week. Following their exit, it was revealed that Charlie Coyle was playing with two separated shoulders. From Michael Russo of the Star Tribune:

Charlie Coyle was playing with both a separated left shoulder and right shoulder, sources say. It was very noticeable to me in Chicago that he was playing hurt in Game 5, and last night, it was very apparent he was having trouble catching passes and stick-handling. 

A few times, he went to the bench and grimaced visibly, so much so that I mentioned it on Twitter. Says everything about the talented kid, don't you think?

What a player.

DESPRES

Simon Despres had quite a game the other day for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The former Sea Dogs defenseman was named first star after recording two goals – including the game-winner in double-overtime – and five shots in the Penguins’ 5-4 Game 3 win over the Providence Bruins.

The Penguins lead the AHL Eastern Conference semi-final 2-1 heading into Game 4 tonight in Providence.

MCCAIN

Atlantic Business Magazine named Sea Dogs CEO/Maple Leaf Foods COO Scott McCain one of the top 50 CEO’s in Atlantic Canada. More on that can be found here.

Team-building an essential success strategy for @SeaDogsHockey chair & first-time Top 50 winner, Scott McCain. #ABMTop50
— Atlantic Business (@AtlanticBus) May 14, 2014

EICHEL

Jack Eichel was named to the USHL’s second all-star team.

“Despite playing just 24 USHL games this season, the forward tied for 29th in League scoring as he tallied 45 points (20g, 25a),” notes the league website.

“The 17-year-old from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts is committed to Boston University and is a top prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft.”

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation