Canadian Camps Continue

Luke Green and Team Blue face @Mbalmas22 & @MarkGrametbauer of Team Black at @HockeyCanada's #U17Camp. #nsproud pic.twitter.com/GVgJTEvD0I
— Hockey Nova Scotia (@HockeyNS) August 1, 2014

It appears Luke Green is making a decent impression at Canada’s under-17 development camp.

Green, selected first overall by Saint John in May’s QMJHL Entry Draft, has been taking part in the camp this week in Calgary. The camp continues today and ends tomorrow with every team in action.

The Sea Dogs defensive prospect is on Team Blue and helped them win their opening game 5-4 over Team Black on Friday.

Great rush by Luke Green, heads up rushing the puck and effortless stride. #U17
— Jérôme Bérubé (@Jerome_Berube) August 1, 2014

Excellent rush by Luke Green a few moments ago ... effortless skating!
— SN Staff (@SeaDogsLive) August 1, 2014

Blue takes on Team Red later today.

August Has Arrived

SAINT JOHN – Welcome to August.

By now you are probably realizing that summer is winding down and that the weather has been kind of suckish, you still haven’t painted that stupid deck, and it’s probably going to snow any day now. But hey, it’s August, which means hockey returns soon and joy and happiness comes along with it.

In just over a week, Sea Dogs training camp begins. Two weeks from tonight the Sea Dogs host the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in pre-season action. Hockey season is almost here.

Here are some important dates to remember this month:

Aug 5 - Exhibition tickets on sale to general public (Box Office, 10am)

Aug 11 - Training Camp Opens (schedule not yet announced)

Aug 15 - Exhibition Game vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (Harbour Station, 7pm)

Aug 16 – Exhibition Game at Halifax Mooseheads (Dartmouth, 7pm)

Aug 22 - Exhibition Game vs. Halifax Mooseheads (Harbour Station, 7:30pm)

Aug 23 – Exhibition Game at Halifax Mooseheads (Truro, 7pm)

Aug 29 - Season Ticket Payments Due (Box Office)

Tickets to Saint John’s pre-season opener on August 15 are free. Tickets can only be "purchased" by visiting the Harbour Station box office.

The Sea Dogs begin the regular season on September 12 in Charlottetown. Their home opener is on September 19 against Bathurst.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Blizzard Joins Sea Dogs

Terry Blizzard has been named the Saint John Sea Dogs strength and conditioning coach.

Blizzard is a personal trainer and owner of Afterburn Performance, a training centre that many Sea Dogs players have trained at over the past few years. A news release notes that Blizzard and the facility “played a key role in developing former Sea Dogs Jonathan Huberdeau, Charlie Coyle, Nathan Beaulieu, Tomas Jurco and Kevin Gagne.”

"Over the past four years we have seen Terry's role with the hockey club expand and grow, and we have greatly valued his contribution to the team," said Sea Dogs General Manager Darrell Young in the release. "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of his ability and talent in the Saint John area and our players have benefited greatly from his knowledge.

"We have dedicated student-athletes who deserve the best, and we need to show them that we are dedicated to their development."

More info on Blizzard can be found here.

SeaDogsTV has done a couple features on Afterburn Performance over the years.

Notebook: Fullerton Signs With Jackals

Former Sea Dogs goaltender Travis Fullerton has signed a Standard Player Contract for the 2014-2015 season with the Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League.

"Travis is a warrior between the pipes," said Jackals head coach Jamie Russell in a release. "He possesses a tremendous work ethic and displays his will to win each and every night. Travis and Josh (Robinson) will push each other for the starting job, which will create a competitive atmosphere throughout the season."

Fullerton spent parts of two seasons with Saint John. He posted a 2.98 GAA and .905 SV% in 2007-08 and helped the Sea Dogs reach the QMJHL semi-finals in their first ever post-season appearance.

The Riverview native then spent five seasons with the UNB Varsity Reds, winning three CIS Championships. He played with the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers last season.

"I couldn't be more happy to be joining the Jackals for the upcoming season," said Fullerton in the release. "I am excited to meet my teammates and enjoy a great season in Elmira."

The Jackals are affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres.

TRADE PERIOD

The QMJHL's summer trade period opens on Friday. The trade period will close on Monday, August 18th at 10 a.m. EST. #qmjhl #lhjmq
— Jeremy Fraser (@FraserTQN) July 29, 2014

NHL DRAFT RECAP

Hockey’s Future has an article recapping how the QMJHL did at the NHL Draft. The site briefly mentions Sea Dogs defenseman Olivier LeBlanc who was taken in the seventh round by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Two More Invited To Camp

Two more free agents have been given invites to Saint John Sea Dogs training camp.

The team announced today that forwards Shawn Hubley and Isaac Ceh have each been invited to attend next month’s camp.

Hubley, a 17-year old Sackville native, spent last season with the Halifax Macs of the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League where he registered seven goals and 10 assists in 30 regular season games. He added another eight goals and eight assists in 17 playoff matches, helping the squad win NSMMHL Championship. At the 2014 Major Midget Atlantics Tournament, Hubley had four goals and six points in five matches en route to helping the Macs win the tournament and being named MVP.

"I love the way (Hubley) gets under the opposition's skin, and in order to be effective in the QMJHL, he will have to play the same, abrasive style while minimizing the amount of penalties he takes,” said Sea Dogs general manager Darrell Young in a release.

Young also noted that Hubley was one of the first players to receive an invite to camp after he was not drafted nor signed by another QMJHL club.

Hubley is listed at 6'1", 190 lbs.

Ceh, an 18-year old American from Chicago, recorded five goals and five assists in 17 games with the Chicago Mission Under-18 team last year. He added another 14 goals and eight assists in 18 contests with the Belle Tire Under-18 squad.

The Sea Dogs’ news release notes that he was a late cut from the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s last year.

"I had the opportunity to watch him at the USA National Championships and came away impressed with his skill and speed,” said Young.

"We are not bringing Isaac here to compete for a bottom-six spot, but rather a spot in the top six forwards. If Isaac produces the offense we believe he can, then he will earn a spot with the Sea Dogs."

Ceh is listed at 5'11", 185 lbs.

Saint John’s full training camp roster has not been released yet. The team hits the ice for training camp on Monday, August 11.

Canada's Under-17 Camp Has Begun

Hockey Canada’s massive under-17 development camp began today in Calgary.

Among the more than 100 players invited to attend are Sea Dogs prospects Luke Green and Julien Tessier. Green, a defenseman from Bedford, was taken first overall by Saint John in May’s QMJHL Entry Draft while Tessier, a forward from Quebec, was taken 15^th overall.

The group of players have been divided into six teams for the camp that runs until next Monday. Practices began today and the games will begin on Thursday.

Green, who recorded 17 goals and 20 assists in 34 games with Newbridge Academy last season, will play with Team Blue. Tessier, who registered seven goals and 14 assists in 38 games with Trois-Rivieres last year, is part of Team Green.

Team Green plays their first game on Thursday night against Team White. Team Blue opens action on Friday against Team Black. Each team will play three games.

The camp is the beginning of Hockey Canada’s under-17 program revamp. Instead of regional teams representing Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, there will be three national teams. The tournament is also taking place November 2-8 rather than over New Year’s.

The camp can be followed on the Hockey Canada website here. The Canadian Press also has a big article on the camp here.