NOTEBOOK: Dogs Back In Action

After defeating two of the league’s hottest teams last weekend, the Saint John Sea Dogs return to action tomorrow (Friday) night when they face the Islanders in Charlottetown at 7 p.m.

The Islanders, 5-3-0-1 on the season, are coming off a Quebec road trip last weekend where they won just one game. Charlottetown got off to a 4-0 start this year but were handed their first loss of the season by the Sea Dogs on Sept. 25 at Eastlink Centre.

Charlottetown remains without one of their best forwards in Daniel Sprong, who made the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season opening roster.

On Saturday, the Sea Dogs will host the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

Last weekend, goaltender Marc-Antoine Turcotte was named Saint John’s Irving Oil Player of the Month.

According to a team release, Turcotte “finished the month with three wins, a 2.49 goals-against average and a stellar .932 save percentage in six games played.”

Meanwhile, forward Joe Veleno, a St. Malachy's High School student, was named the Swagelok Student of the Month.

3/4 #we'vegotgoals 6 players with Annie Somers at Samuel-de-Champlain French CEGEP - and 4 plys at St. Malachy's High School with J. Craft.

— boots (@paulb_a) October 6, 2015

THOMAS BACK AT UNB

The Brunswickan has an article on former Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas returning to UNB.

“I missed the game,” he told The Bruns about taking last year off from hockey. “I realized I missed the competitive spirit that playing for UNB had to offer, but I’m happy to be back and focused on winning a championship with a great group of guys.”

Thomas, who played with the V-Reds in 2013-14, will join the team after Christmas upon completing academic requirements.

The V-Reds, who finished second at the University Cup last season, open the regular season on Saturday at home against the UPEI Panthers.

FACES IN DIFFERENT PLACES

The ECHL’s Oct. 6 page of transactions had a number of notable moves.

First of all, former Sea Dogs forward Michael Kirkpatrick has been assigned to the Adirondack Thunder by the AHL’s Stockton Heat. It was announced during the summer that Kirkpatrick had signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate after playing the previous four seasons with the StFX X-Men.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Dempsey, who recorded eight goals and 17 assists in 60 games with the Sea Dogs last season, signed a tryout agreement with the Atlanta Gladiators.

Lastly, former Sea Dogs defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel was returned to the Norfolk Admirals by the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. Roussel, a second-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2009, spent last season between the ECHL and LNAH.

DUNDAS IS WINDSOR

If you’ve been wondering where former Sea Dogs forward Justice Dundas has ended up, he is currently listed on the University of Windsor Lancers roster.

Dundas, picked up by the Sea Dogs as a free agent from the OHL last year, recorded 22 goals and 14 assists in 61 games as an overager.

Former Sea Dogs forward Steven Anthony is also on the Lancers roster.

The Lancers open the season on Saturday against the Waterloo Warriors.

NEW LOGO

It appears the “Subway Super Series” is no more.

New Logo for #CHL Canada Russia Series November 9-19 @TheWHL KEL/KAM, @OHLHockey OS/WSR, @QMJHL ROU/HAL! #CHLvsRUS pic.twitter.com/PKGg4qlvWD

— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) October 7, 2015

Of note, Subway is no longer listed as a CHL national partner on their website.

Halifax will host the final game of the series on Nov. 19.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation