Notebook: Rogers TV won't air NB Q games

Rogers TV New Brunswick Facebook

Local Rogers TV stations in the province are not expected to air New Brunswick-based QMJHL games this season.

Broadcaster Gerry Green confirmed the news on Twitter.

Disappointed to hear we @RogersTVNB will NOT be carrying the @QMJHL games from SJ, Moncton and Bathurst this season. It was a great run and I'll miss it terribly. Some hilites to remember from Feb/20.@PQMiramichi @TTSeanHatchard @MrCDobson @BruceHallihan https://t.co/AoIucswlx9

— Gerry Green (@GGreenMachine) September 8, 2021

Rogers TV was not listed as a broadcast partner in the QMJHL's media guide. The network's included were RDS, TSN, CBC, TVA Sports, Eastlink and Optik TV.

The Saint John Sea Dogs, Moncton Wildcats and Acadie-Bathurst Titan have had around 15-25 games broadcast each season since 2014-15 on Rogers TV.

It does seem that local Rogers TV stations in Ontario will continue to air OHL games. A recent London Knights pre-season game was broadcast on Rogers TV in London.

FRIDAY'S GAME
UNB and Fredericton police have released more details on Friday's campus evacuations, which forced the pre-season game between the Sea Dogs and Moncton Wildcats, scheduled to be played at the Aitken Centre, to be cancelled.

The UNB campuses remained closed until midnight. They are now open and have returned to normal operations. We want to thank the university community for your patience and cooperation during this investigation.

— UNB (@UNB) September 11, 2021

The game will not be rescheduled. The UNB Reds, who are hosting Saint John's pre-season games this year, have announced details on what to do if you had purchased tickets to the game.

QUINN LEAVING SEA DOGS

Jon Quinn, the long-time Sea Dogs in-game announcer and director of marketing and communications, is leaving the team at the end of this week.

"While my time with the team will most likely be defined by all the yelling I did from the stands and the time (well) spent embarrassing unsuspecting fans with the promise of gift cards, that doesn't begin to scratch the surface of the opportunities I was given and the unique experiences I shared with the organization," Quinn wrote in a LinkedIn post on Monday.

"To my office family who make magic happen 34+ times a year, you are the best at what you do," he added. "I will always cherish the time we spent together, the many successes we shared, the bad times and the good."

Quinn has been the team's in-game host and held a variety of other roles since 2014.

FIGHT

Oh, how times have changed: it's actually newsworthy when there is a "legitimate" fight in a pre-season game. Here's callup Adam Bowness taking on Wildcats star Maxim Barbashev during Sunday's exhibition game.

On a random note, Bowness was recently traded in the Maritime Hockey League from the Campbellton Tigers to the Amherst Ramblers.

CANADA-RUSSIA GAMES RETURNING?

Will the Canada-Russia Series return this year?

Hearing there is still hope for a CHL/Russia series in the first half of the season. It may be more of an abbreviated version than ones from past seasons. One idea I've heard of is a Team CHL instead of Team QMJHL/OHL/WHL.

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) September 3, 2021

WHL commissioner Ron Robison told The Pipeline Show a few weeks ago that the CHL was planning for this year's event, which is typically used as an evaluation tool for Canada's world junior team. Obviously, COVID will have a lot to say on whether the event is held or not.

KOTKOV TO THE KHL

After being placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks last week, it appears former Sea Dogs forward Vladislav Kotkov is heading to the KHL.

As suspected, Kotkov wanted to go play in the KHL: https://t.co/P4RA3aK98o

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 13, 2021

Kotkov cleared unconditional waivers, allowing his contract with the Sharks to become eligible for termination. 

The Russian forward appeared in 16 games with the Sea Dogs last season as an overager, recording nine goals and 10 assists. He added four assists in five playoff games.

Kotkov also appeared in one AHL playoff game with the San Jose Barracuda last season.

DIXON ON COUGARS

The Prince George Citizen caught up with former Sea Dogs head coach Josh Dixon, who is now an associate coach with the WHL's Prince George Cougars.

“When I was in Saint John we had the youngest team in the CHL, we were rebuilding, and (Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb) was talking about rebuilding out here as well," Dixon told the newspaper. "It was sort of a similar trajectory. The young talent here is really impressive - a lot of guys who can really play, and a lot of depth, from goaltending position out.”

The Cougars have not made the playoffs since 2017 and have not advanced past the first round since 2007.

POVOROZNIOUK NOW A COACH

Former Sea Dogs forward Sam Povorozniouk has been named an assistant coach of the USHL's Tri-City Storm.

“I’m very excited and grateful to be joining such a respected and successful organization," said the 26-year-old. "I’m really looking forward to learning and working with the experienced staff that is already there."

Povorozniouk spent the 2015-16 season with the Sea Dogs, recording 39 goals and 23 assists in 68 regular season games. He added 14 goals and 11 assists in 17 playoff games.

Povorozniouk's pro career, which ended in 2019-20, included stops in the ECHL, Finland, Germany and Denmark.

Sea Dogs draft pick and Providence College commit Guillaume Richard spent last season with the Storm.

REGINATO RE-SIGNS

Former Sea Dogs forward Cole Reginato has re-signed with the Southern Professional Hockey League's Huntsville Havoc.

Reginato, who joined the Havoc late in the season, appeared in 10 games with the club, recording a goal, two assists and 30 penalty minutes. He also played in two playoff games.

The 23-year-old spent parts of three seasons with the Sea Dogs, helping the team win the President Cup in 2017.

OTHER THINGS

• Dieppe's UNIplex was really nice and definitely a more comfortable pre-season venue than the Superior Propane Centre. Not sure what all the black paint is about. The rink could be a lot brighter than it is.
• Atlantic University Sport has announced that all spectators at indoor events must be masked - no matter what the provincial or local rules are. Sea Dogs pre-season games held at UNB's Aitken Centre have required fans to be masked
• The National Basketball League on Canada lives, apparently. The league's lone New Brunswick team, the Moncton Magic, pulled out of the league a few weeks ago.
• Would you enjoy 12-minute intermissions? They were a thing in B1G college hockey last season, although there were some issues with overly wet ice.
• Seems there is a chance the province's next COVID-19 update could have an impact on fans at TD Station this season, whether that be mask wearing or some kind of vaccination proof. The province is expected to provide an update Wednesday.