Joyal joins Hockey Canada staff

Former Sea Dogs goaltender Maxime Joyal has been named the goaltending coach for Canada’s National Women’s Development Team.

From the Hockey Canada website:

Max Joyal is the goaltending coach with Limoilou, winning the provincial championship in 2016. He served as camp staff at Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp last summer, and was a consultant at Canada’s National Women’s Program goaltending camp in June. Joyal also won gold as the goaltending coach with Team Quebec at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

Joyal played in 31 games with the Sea Dogs during the 2006-07 season, posting a 4.99 goals against average and a .862 save percentage.

After completing his junior career, Joyal played a couple games with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals before joining the CIS' Concordia Stingers. The netminder spent four seasons at Concordia before heading to the LNAH.

According to the Hockey Canada website, “Canada’s National Women’s Development Team selection camp is scheduled for Aug. 5-14 in Calgary, followed by a three-game series against the United States’ Women’s Under-22 Select Team from Aug. 17-21. It will also participate at the Nations Cup in Germany in January 2017.” 

Fullerton finds new home in EIHL

Former Sea Dogs goaltender Travis Fullerton has found a new home.

After splitting last season between the LNAH and EIHL, Fullerton has signed with Edinburgh Capitals of the Elite Ice Hockey League.

“I’m delighted to have signed in Edinburgh for the upcoming season,” the 28-year-old said in a news release. “I’m excited by the group the club has put together and it was an easy choice to make.”

In 15 games with the EIHL’s Braehead Clan last season, Fullerton posted a 2.61 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. He joins a Capitals team that features former StFX defenseman Michael D’Orazio and ex-UNB forward Taylor MacDougall.

Fullerton has been playing professionally the past three seasons. Prior to turning pro, the Riverview native played five seasons with the UNB Varsity Reds, winning three national championships.

Fullerton spent parts of two seasons with the Sea Dogs in 2006-07 and 2007-08, helping the team reach its first ever QMJHL semifinal in 2008.

Photo via the EIHL website

Two more Sea Dogs commit to CIS schools

Two more former Sea Dogs are heading to school this fall.

It was announced on Thursday that former Dogs defenseman Braydon Blight has committed to the Laurier Golden Hawks for the 2016-17 CIS season.

Very honoured to have committed to @WLUAthletics cannot wait to start this new chapter

— Braydon Blight (@BraydonBlight) July 14, 2016

Blight, a third-round pick of the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2011 OHL draft, recorded three goals and five assists in 37 games with the Sea Dogs during the 2014-15 season. He was held pointless in five playoff games.

The 21-year-old played with the MHL’s Truro Bearcats last season where he registered nine goals and 17 assists in 45 games.

Laurier begins the OUA regular season on Oct. 6 at Ryerson University. They have a few unique exhibition games before that, visiting Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie on Sept. 23 and 24, respectively, and Ohio State on Oct. 2.

It was also announced on Thursday that former Sea Dogs forward Marcus Cuomo has committed to the StFX X-Men.

Very proud to announce my commitment to @StFXAthletics thanks to my friends and family for the support! Can't wait to get the ball rolling

— Marcus Cuomo (@mcuomo10) July 14, 2016

"He was a very popular teammate in his time in the QMJHL and we look forward to the energy and grit he will bring to our program," said StFX head coach Brad Peddle in a news release.

Cuomo spent the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons with the Sea Dogs, recording 10 goals and 20 assists in 116 games. He joined the Quebec Remparts for the 2014-15 season. Last year, he played in just eight MHL games with the Amherst Ramblers due to a knee injury.

The X-Men begin the 2016-17 AUS season on Oct. 7 at Dalhousie.

Noel blogging from Blackhawks camp

Sea Dogs forward Nathan Noel has been blogging from Chicago Blackhawks development camp.

Noel was having a strong game on Wednesday until he had to leave due to injury.

Everything was working. After scoring twice early on, I thought I was having a good game until I got injured and had to come out. 

I went for a check and hit the guy; his skate came up and caught me. It’s nothing major, so I should be all right.

Noel’s first, second and third blogs can be found on the Blackhawks website.

The 19-year-old St. John’s native is attending his first camp in Chicago after being selected by the club in the fourth round of this year’s NHL Draft.

Photo via Blackhawks website

Zboril solid on first day of Bruins camp

Boston Bruins development camp began today and the first reviews of Jakub Zboril are positive.

According to Joe Haggerty of CSN New England, “he looked much better in this year’s development camp than he did last year.

Jakob Zboril looks on waiting his turn in drills at #NHLBruins development camp pic.twitter.com/qiz5xgYoeT

— The Pink Puck (@ThePinkPuck) July 12, 2016

“He was clearly in much better shape, and looked smooth moving the puck while also showing good battle for pucks during the 2-on-2 drills. While some may be throwing around the “bust” word for a kid that’s only 19 years old, Zboril still looked like a first rounder to me during the first day of development camp.”

More can be found at CSN New England.

Bruins development camp continues until Friday.

Meanwhile, here’s a nice article on Samuel Dove-McFalls from Philadelphia Flyers development camp.

2018 Memorial Cup bid guidelines coming

By Friday, the CHL is expected to unveil the bidding guidelines for the 2018 Memorial Cup.

The CHL confirmed last week that the 2018 tournament, which will be the 100^th Memorial Cup championship, can be bid on by any of the 60 CHL clubs.

Despite rumours that have circulated over the past couple years, the format for the tournament will remain the same with a host team and the champions of the QMJHL, OHL and WHL.

Interested clubs must submit their intent to bid by Sept. 1, 2016. The CHL will make its decision in the first week of February, 2017.

The 2017 Memorial Cup will be held in Windsor.

The Sea Dogs have stated their intentions to bid on the 2019 tournament, which will be the next Memorial Cup the QMJHL hosts.

In other news…

• It appears the Kitchener Rangers, who hosted back in 2008, are interested in bidding on the 2018 Memorial Cup.
• It might have been a rough year for the CHL Import Draft.
• Gerard Gallant is back on PEI.
• Bleedin’ Blue has an article on former Sea Dogs forward Sam Povorozniouk.
• 17-year-old forward Craig Ryan, who had 15 goals and 19 assists in 37 games with the Cape Breton West Islanders last season, has been invited to Sea Dogs training camp.

Isles Update: Mulgrave's @Cryan_7 will be attending the @SJSeaDogs camp this summer. #TheFactoryOfGuts pic.twitter.com/Ypf0HRUbSG

— CB West Islanders (@CBWestIslanders) July 9, 2016