City, Spectra moving into negotiations

The Telegraph-Journal is reporting (paywall) that Global Spectrum (now "Spectra"), one of North America's largest arena management companies, will enter into negotiations with the City of Saint John for the lease and operation of TD Station.

The company was one of four groups that responded to the city's expression of interest to either purchase or lease the arena. Mayor Don Darling told the Telegraph-Journal that this means the other three groups are out of the running to either purchase or lease the building.

Spectra currently manages OHL rinks in London, Hamilton, Oshawa and Windsor, three of which - the exception being Hamilton - are considered to be among the most modern in junior hockey. The company also manages the WHL arena in Everett (which was recently named the best arena in the CHL by @chl_discussion on Instagram) along with a number of current and former AHL and NCAA facilities.

Given the COVID-19 situation, it's good to see this process still moving forward. And given the COVID-19 situation, it's hard to say when (if all goes all) this deal will be finalized.

While there are plenty of question marks around what this deal may mean for TD Station - most fans are probably wondering about potential upgrades to the nearly 30-year-old facility and the possibility of more major events coming to the city  - but having a global brand take over the building certainly seems like a good thing.

Spectra must still honour the existing contracts in place with the Sea Dogs and TD, reports the Telegraph-Journal.

JSM Sports Entertainment Inc. (the Scott McCain led organization), ASM Global (the company that manages Moncton's Avenir Centre) and Nustadia Recreation Inc. had also expressed interest in TD Station.

City seeking deals for TD Station

SAINT JOHN - More changes could be on the way to the Saint John Sea Dogs' home - and they may be much more significant than a name change.

The City of Saint John announced yesterday that it is open to selling or leasing the publicly owned and operated facility to the private sector. From a news release:

The City of Saint John is seeking to engage with experienced organizations interested in the purchase or lease, and related operation, of TD Station, one of Eastern Canada’s most popular and successful multi-purpose event venues. Any partnership would be for the purposes of maintaining the facility as a major events venue for the benefit of the Greater Saint John Region. The formal and open request for expressions of interest was issued by the City on January 20, 2020 and will close on February 14, 2020. 

“There are a number of potential types of partnerships whereby the importance of the facility to the Region could be protected but perhaps with reduced overall costs,” says Saint John Mayor Don Darling. “At this point, we are in the early exploratory stages to find out what they might be. Deliberations and a decision to proceed with any interested party will only be made once options are explored and City staff report to Common Council with a business case.”

It is noted a couple times in the release that the facility must remain an entertainment venue and its current lease agreements with the Sea Dogs and TD, which both run until 2024, must be honoured. The idea of the venue being bought and blown up is out of the question.

Harbour Station officially renamed

SAINT JOHN - Harbour Station has officially been renamed TD Station.

The TD Bank Group purchased the naming rights to the Saint John Sea Dogs home arena earlier this month. The name change is part of a five-year sponsorship agreement between the bank and hockey club.

“We’re thrilled with the announcement of TD Station,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a news release. "The name maintains some of the history of the original and we look forward to what the future holds here. ‘Sea Dogs win the President Cup/Memorial Cup at TD Station’ has a nice ring to it.”

Harbour Station has had the same name since it was completed in 1993. The name is a tribute to the rail stations that once stood on the grounds.

Signage outside the arena has not been changed yet and it will likely take some time before everything gets changed over. The Harbour Station website also hasn't adjusted yet.

The Sea Dogs won't play any pre-season games at TD Station this year. They'll make their 2019-20 debut in the building on Sept. 20, hosting the Halifax Mooseheads on opening night.

Dogs, TD announce partnership

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs made a major announcement on Wednesday morning in the Harbour Station parking lot.

The Sea Dogs and TD Bank Group confirmed a long rumoured major partnership - which includes the naming rights to Harbour Station. Interestingly, the new name of the arena was not announced nor confirmed - that will come at a later date, according to a press release.

The Sea Dogs and Harbour Station have been trying to find a naming rights partner for several years now. The failure to find a partner had/has caused some friction with the team's lease arrangement, which has been in the news some this summer.

Wednesday's announcement is good news for the Dogs, the building and the City of Saint John, who still own the building. The deal should give all sides some financial relief.

The news release states that this is a five-year sponsorship agreement, which begins this year. TD will host minor hockey practices with the Sea Dogs, deploy hockey-based community initiatives and elevate the in-game experience through music events.

It'll be interesting to see what other benefits come from the deal. Since Scotiabank purchased the naming rights to the Halifax Metro Centre, the building has undergone some extensive upgrades, which include new concessions, seats, floor and clock. Harbour Station will no doubt, at the very least, get some fresh looks.

The Sea Dogs don't play any pre-season games at Harbour Station this year. The team's first game will be the regular season opener on Friday, Sept. 20 against the Halifax Mooseheads.

Sea Dogs making "big announcement" Wednesday

SAINT JOHN - Some added excitement and intrigue has been added to the opening of Saint John Sea Dogs training camp.

In a press release sent out on Tuesday, the Sea Dogs said they'll be making a "big announcement" at 9 a.m. Here's the the release:

The Saint John Sea Dogs are gearing up for their 15th season and we’re inviting everyone to join us for a big announcement. As our players step on the ice to kick-off Training Camp 2019, we have a new off-ice teammate joining us in Saint John and we need you ready to welcome them on Wednesday, August 14th at 9:00 a.m. in the east end parking lot of Harbour Station. 

We invite our Season Ticket Members, our partners and members of the media to attend and join us in welcoming this new teammate to the Saint John Sea Dogs family. 

The Saint John Sea Dogs have been a staple of hockey in New Brunswick for 15 years and have shared unparalleled success with the community during that time. Three President Cup Championships and a 2011 Memorial Cup have been won by the Port City’s team and brought home to where they belong, right here in Saint John, NB. We’re ready to show you what’s next! 

Doors to the event will open at 8:00 a.m. with the announcement taking place at 9:00 a.m. Light refreshments and snacks will be served. This is a free event.

The first idea that comes to mind is, at long last, a naming rights deal for Harbour Station. Team president Trevor Georgie told the Telegraph-Journal that "this new sponsor has deep-rooted ties to New Brunswick and growing regional ties."

Given Georgie's comments and the fact that the Sea Dogs' graphic for this event has green text, you have to think TD might be the party involved. Frank McKenna is the obvious New Brunswick connection and the company recently opened a huge corporate office in Moncton. They also have a green logo.

The Sea Dogs and Harbour Station have been trying to find a naming rights partner for several years now, and not having the rights sold has created some issues and friction with the team's lease arrangement - which has created some press this off-season. Hopefully, if this announcement is about naming rights for the building, this resolves some of those issues and gives both sides a financial boost.

We'll get some answers tomorrow morning.

Harbour Station raises cost of parking

Parking at Saint John Sea Dogs games just got a bit pricier.

In an email sent out this afternoon, Harbour Station announced it would be raising the price of event parking by $1. The price increase begins this Thursday when the Sea Dogs begin regular season play against the Halifax Mooseheads.

Here's the full email:

The cost of special event parking on Harbour Station lots is going up by one dollar. The increase becomes effective with the Saint John Sea Dogs home opener this Thursday night (September 21). 

It’s been almost 20 years since the event parking price was last increased. The change reflects increases in labour and maintenance costs.

No specific prices were included, so, presumably, the main lot will now cost $4 and long wharf $3.

Coincidently, the Saint John Parking Commission tweeted this recently:

@SJSeaDogs are back at @harbourstation. Season opener is on Thursday! Parking in the Peel Plaza Parking Garage for only $5 starting at 6pm!

— SJ ParkingCommission (@Parking_SJ) September 18, 2017

Safe travels.

2017-18 Sea Dogs ticket details released

The Saint John Sea Dogs unveiled single game ticket details this week.

There aren't a lot of changes this year after the huge overhaul the ticket structure went through last summer. Harbour Station has been divided into four pricing zones and the team's home games are designated either best value, regular or premium.

Here's a look at the 34-game home schedule:

Only six matches are designated as "premium games," three of which are against the rival Moncton Wildcats. Eight games are designated as "best value games," all of which will played mid-week. The remaining games are "regular."

Tickets to best value games in Zone D are just $9 for adult, senior and student and $8 for youth.

Full pricing details can be found of the Sea Dogs website.

Saint Johners seem to like idea of Harbour Station naming rights sponsor

In a very unscientific poll/survey, the people of Saint John are very much in favour of slapping a corporate name on Harbour Station.

While it's often unpopular for a well-known entertainment venue name to be replaced/adjusted by a corporate name, the fine folks of the Port City - at least those who commented on this 97.3 The Wave Facebook post - are very much in favour of the initiative.


These people are, of course, correct, and the added revenue from a sponsorship agreement would be a huge boost for the building. Just look at the Halifax Metro Centre, which has undergone several much needed renovations since Scotiabank purchased its naming rights.

According to the Telegraph-Journal on Monday (paywall), Harbour Station runs an annual operating deficit of $700,000.

Harbour Station has been publicly seeking a naming rights sponsor since 2015.

One thing that is perhaps complicating Harbour Station's future is Moncton's new facility, which is set to open next year. Moncton will no doubt attract a lot more shows - perhaps more than Saint John - with its new building, which could certainly have a negative impact on Harbour Station. Along with that, you have to think Moncton is also interested in finding a naming rights purchaser.

A few weeks ago, The Telegram had an interesting article on the rental costs of Atlantic arenas.

DOGS DAILY: Big Weekend For LeBlanc

Former Sea Dogs defenseman Olivier LeBlanc had an impressive weekend.

With a total of three goals and two assists in two games against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles alternate captain was named the QMJHL’s first star of week.

Olivier Leblanc (@3LeBlanc), a @BlueJacketsNHL pick, has the game winner for @CBSEHockey tonight in Sydney pic.twitter.com/g97pvYCd6n

— Kris Abbott (@EastlinkKris) January 17, 2016

LeBlanc, who returned from a three-game suspension handed to him following a hit to head on Saint John’s Oliver Felixson, now has five goals and 27 points in 38 games with the Screaming Eagles this year.

Cape Breton is in third place in the Maritimes Division with 50 points, which is seven points back of second place Saint John. The Sea Dogs also have three games in hand.

The Eagles could inch closer to the Dogs this weekend if they are able to pick up some points when the two meet on Friday and Saturday at Harbour Station.

Meanwhile, Victoriaville’s Alexandre Goulet and Moncton’s Conor Garland were named the second and third stars of the week, respectively.

Stadium Journey Reviews Harbour Station

Stadium Journey, a website dedicate to reviewing sports stadiums around the world, released it’s first official review of Harbour Station today.

Overall, Harbour Station was given a 3.9/5 FANFARE score. The score is determined trough rating food and beverage, atmosphere, neighbourhood, fans, access, return on investment and extras.

Not surprisingly, the arena ranked highly in neighbourhood, access, return on investment and extras. The building also got a surprisingly good atmosphere rating when considering how quiet the place is on a typical night.

The major knock, which also doesn’t come as a surprise, came in the food and beverage category. I’d say the 2/5 is being generous.

The entire review with explanations can be found on their website. It’s a very cool site if you’ve never been.

It’s difficult to compare how Harbour Station stacks up to other QMJHL rinks because the reviews are all conducted – for the most part – by different writers and based on one game. You’re probably going to have a much better experience at a rink when it’s packed and rocking than some random September game.

For example, the Moncton Coliseum was given a 4/5 rating, and I think just about everyone, including Wildcats fans, would agree that Harbour Station is a much better building. Scotiabank Centre was given a 4.3/5 rating. Shawinigan’s rink was given the same rating as Harbour Station. The “epicentre of junior hockey,” Budweiser Gardens in London, has a 4.1/5 rating.

Changes To Harbour Station Concessions?

SAINT JOHN – If this new signage is accurate, there appears to be some changes coming to Harbour Station concessions.

Above is the new signage for the pizza concession located beside Tim Hortons. Below is what is placed above the main concession stands.

I honestly haven’t purchased anything at a Harbour Station concession stand in years, so maybe some of theses changes had already happened. And before complaining about the prices, remember that these are standard prices for just about every entertainment venue anywhere.

Also, what ever happened to Rock Dogs (a.k.a. corndogs)?

RFP: Harbour Station Naming Rights

Things are getting real when it comes to selling the naming rights of Harbour Station. This ad was posted in the sports section of today's Telegraph-Journal (click to enlarge).

If you're interested in buying the naming rights to this blog, please contact us at stationnation@yahoo.ca.

Notebook: Sea Dogs Sign New Lease

The Sea Dogs are sticking around.

According to the Telegraph-Journal (paywall) on Monday, the Sea Dogs signed a five-year lease agreement with Harbour Station that will through the 2019-20 season.

Sea Dogs president Wayne Long said the new agreement features some changes behind the scenes that will help the team financially. Fans shouldn’t expect to notice any changes during their game day experience, though.

“I won’t lie to you, it’s very tight financially for us to operate here given the amount of fans we’re currently drawing, so we needed to have a lease that we could live with that would make the operation viable,” Long told the T-J.

Next year will be the Sea Dogs’ 11^th season in the city. The Saint John Flames lasted 10 seasons.

ZBORIL AN ALL-STAR

Sea Dogs defenseman Jakub Zboril was named to the QMJHL’s rookie all-star team at the annual Golden Puck Awards last night.

Zboril joined Shawinigan’s Samuel Girard as d-men on the team. Sherbrooke goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick also made the team while Cape Breton’s Evgeny Svechnikov, Quebec’s Dmytro Timashov and Charlottetown’s Filip Chlapik were the forwards.

Halifax’s Timo Meier was named the top professional prospect.

The full results can be found on the QMJHL website.

TOP D-MEN

The Hockey Writers took a look at the top 15 defensemen eligible for this year’s NHL Draft.

At No. 5 was Jakub Zboril. “He is great at transitioning the puck, and has an extremely accurate and fairly hard shot that he uses 5 on 5, on the power play and even shorthanded,” writes Devin Slawson. “He is not at all afraid to lay the body and is very smart on the ice.”

Thomas Chabot was ranked seventh. “He’s noticeably still learning the game which means he could still progress and become a top prospect,” writes Slawson.

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.

Sea Dogs Notebook

MacAULAY

Former Sea Dogs forward Stephen MacAulay is waiting for a working visa so he can play with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. He returned home to Halifax this week where he was interviewed by John Moore.

The Nailers are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins.

MacAulay also picked up his newest Memorial Cup ring this week.

RENT

The CBC New Brunswick website has also posted Jacques Poitras interview on Information Morning where he is discussed the Sea Dogs’ and Titan’s arena contracts. Listen to that HERE.

HUBERDEAU

Jonathan Huberdeau is still considered a prospect by Hockey’s Future. In their latest top 50 rankings, Huberdeau is ranked second.

From Hockey’s Future:

A creative playmaker, he got his teammates involved thanks to his astounding passing skills and on-ice awareness. For his efforts, the 2011 third overall pick became the franchise’s first Calder Trophy recipient. Already a rising star in the NHL, it should be only a matter of time before he is among the elite players in hockey.

Huberdeau has a goal and an assist in four games with the Panthers this season. The Panthers are 1-3 and have been outscored 18-7.

Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk is the top ranked prospect. Also of note, Nathan Beaulieu is ranked 36^th, Charlie Coyle 46^th, and Simon Despres 48^th.

COYLE

Speaking of Coyle, he is expected to miss three to four weeks with a sprained knee according to the Wild website. He suffered the injury in Minnesota’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks earlier this week.

“It’s not an ideal situation, but I’m fortunate it’s nothing worse than it is,” Coyle told the Star Tribune. “I’m going to keep a positive mindset, and I’m looking forward to recovering and doing everything I can to be healthy again.”

Coyle has been held pointless in the two games he has appeared in this season.

The Patriot Ledger also had an article on Coyle last weekend.

CBC News Feature On Arena Contracts

The financial dealings and details between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Harbour Station has been kept quite quiet over the years. But this morning on CBC Radio’s Information Morning, Jacques Poitras had an in depth feature on the Sea Dogs arena contract in Saint John in comparison to the Titan’s contract in Bathurst.

From CBC New Brunswick:

A CBC News examination of two arena contracts with two different Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams in New Brunswick shows that Saint John’s Harbour Station is making money from its agreement with the Saint John Seadogs. 

Under the terms of the deal, the team has been handing over $500,000 to $700,000 per year to the Harbour Station Commission – meaning the facility’s overall deficit is far below the $1.2 million annual loss projected when it was built.

The whole article can be found here. Interesting read if you are into this kind of stuff, especially some of the Titan contract details.

The Irving owned Wildcats apparently persuaded the City of Moncton to not release details of their contract.

Sea Dogs Notebook

For those who haven’t seen it, above is what the poutine looks like at Harbour Station.

UP NEXT

The Sea Dogs are on the road this weekend for a pair of games against divisional opponents. Tomorrow night they are in Sydney to take on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and on Sunday they are in Bathurst to battle the Titan.

The Screaming Eagles sit one point back of the Sea Dogs in the Maritimes Division with a 3-2-0-2 record. They are 3-0-0-1 in their past four games.

The Titan, who host the Moncton Wildcats tonight, sit fourth in the division with a 3-4-0-0 record.

Saint John has not played Cape Breton yet this season but they are 1-1 against Bathurst.

LEADERS

Following a two goal performance on Tuesday night, Michael Abbott has moved back into the team point lead with eight points (three goals and five points). Stephen Anderson is second on the team in points with seven while Olivier LeBlanc and Oliver Cooper each have six.

Abbott, Anderson, and Nathan Noel all share the team goal scoring lead with three each.

Cooper is a team best +4 if you are interested in knowing such things.

MEMORIAL CUP

If you haven’t heard, Quebec City, Chicoutimi, and Moncton are the three teams bidding to host the 2015 Memorial Cup.

As expected, the Sea Dogs did not place a bid. The Times & Transcript writes the “Sea Dogs had stated their intention to submit bids to host both the 2015 and 2017 Memorial Cups. They opted out of the running for 2015 and will focus on 2017.”

According to a league release, “visits to each one of the cities will be schedule for the beginning of 2014 in order to proceed with the final announcement on April 3rd, following the Golden Puck Awards.”

Harbour Station Now Has Poutine

SAINT JOHN – In November of 2010, Sea Dogs fans started an online petition to get poutine sold at Harbour Station. Yahoo! Sports even had an article on it.

Almost three years later, the unthinkable has happened.

Just hearing this now folks... @harbourstation is serving poutine!!!!! Check it out at the #hattrick concession stand!
— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SeaDogsHockey) September 21, 2013

We can now die in peace.

New Banners On Harbour Station

If you haven’t seen the backside of Harbour Station lately, here is what you’ve been missing.

The Alpine ads (which you can clearly see despite the ad claiming the cans are camo) have been up for a while but the Sea Dogs banner – featuring Jonathan Huberdeau – and the Mill Rat banner – featuring some Mill Rat player – are new this season.

The Saint John championship team banners have also been hanging on the light poles along Station St. since the season started.

Along with all these banners, the new Memorial Cup billboards are also up and greet people as they enter Saint John. The city is looking pretty sharp these days.

Photo Credit: Mill Rats Facebook page

WATCH SUNDAY'S GAME AT THE STATION

You will be able to watch Sunday's Memorial Cup final at Harbour Station after all. Harbour Station has sent out this news release:

Harbour Station will be a prime place to watch this coming Sunday night’s MasterCard Memorial Cup championship game between the Saint John Sea Dogs and their yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Rogers Sportsnet’s live coverage of the game will be shown on the facility’s state-of-the-art scoreclock, which was installed last summer. Harbour Station doors will open at 7:30 p.m. for an expected 8:15 p.m. puck-drop.

While there will be no admission to watch the game, a non-perishable food item would be appreciated. There’ll also be free on-site parking and free popcorn will be available.

“The Sea Dogs’ clinching a berth in the final game of this prestigious tournament is huge”, said Michael Caddell, general manager of Harbour Station. “We are pleased to be able to provide the Sea Dogs faithful with an opportunity to watch this memorable event together, from the club’s home arena.”

Caddell noted the co-operation of Paderno, which will conclude a week-long blowout sale at Harbour Station on Sunday afternoon. “Without their support, this event would not be possible,” he said.

The free popcorn is a nice touch.

It was revealed yesterday that Sunday’s game would be shown at the new Quispamsis QPLEX.