BIG WEEKEND KICKS OFF

The Saint John Sea Dogs have turned the 2009 edition of opening weekend into a bigger event than ever. As the team begins their home schedule Saturday against Cape Breton, several events are taking place at Harbour Station to celebrate the teams fifth anniversary season.

Saturday

4:00-6:00 pm

Second Annual Saint John Sea Dogs fan fest.
Face painting, barbecue, and live music will take place outside the season ticket holders entrance. All proceeds go to the Children's Wish Foundation.

6:00 pm

Harbour Station doors open

Fans receive a free noise maker

6:45 pm

Pre-game festivities begin.

They include a tribute to several former Sea Dogs from the past four seasons. A new player entrance will be introduced, new DJ and PA announcer make there regular season debuts, and the much anticipated mascot unveiling.

7:00 pm

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles vs Saint John Sea Dogs.

97.3 FM The Wave extreme team makes there debut.

Sunday

3:00 pm

Harbour Station doors open.

Special 4-for-$40 tickets

Post-Game

Autograph session

Magnetic schedule give away

*Harbour Station also has new lighting and recycling program.

SAUVE IN CANUCKS LINE-UP TONIGHT

Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Yann Sauve will play in his second pre-season game with the Vancouver Canucks tonight in San Jose. Game time is 11:30 pm and can be viewed on the Canucks website.

This will be Sauve's second pre-season game of the 2009 schedule. He was in the line-up when the Canucks defeated the New York Islanders 2-1. The game did not have a big league feel to it, as it was played in Terrance, British Columbia, host of 2009 Kraft Hockeyville.

Sauve will be paired with veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell for tonight's game according to the Vancouver Sun.

PETERSON SENT TO AHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins have not made life easy on the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Overage forward Nick Peterson has been sent to the Penguins American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Although unlikely, it is possible for Peterson to still play in Saint John if he does not make the cut for the baby pens and is not assigned to the ECHL.

Peterson playing in Saint John has been a huge question mark for the Sea Dogs all summer. The overager was traded to Saint John from Shawinigan to complete the Alex Grant transaction that took place at the holiday trade deadline.

Peterson played in two pre-season games with the Sea Dogs registering two goals and four points.

The Penguins assigned former Saint John Sea Dogs captain Alex Grant to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as well.

In other Pittsburgh moves, they have assigned F Aaron Boogaard, F Zack Sill, F Joey Haddad, F Casey Pierro-Zabotel, F Keven Veilleux, D Lane Caffaro, D Brian Strait and G Jordan Parise to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). Re-assigned F Nathan Moon to Kingston (OHL). Released D Jamie Hunt.

Sea Dogs star defenseman Simon Despres remains at Pittsburgh training camp. Despres, who was selected with the last pick of the first round of the 2009 NHL entry draft, has impressed scouts so much he could be among the final cuts.

ANTHONY RETURNS

Forward Steven Anthony has been sent back to Saint John from Vancouver Canucks training camp. The third year Sea Dog should be in the line-up come Saturday, Saint John's home opener.

The Vancouver Sun reported this story this afternoon as Vancouver's training camp roster has been cut down to 49. One of those 49 players include Sea Dogs defenseman Yann Sauve.

Anthony had 19 goals and 48 points last season. He also had a goal and three points in the 2009 playoffs versus Cape Breton. Anthony was drafted in the seventh round #187 overall in last summers NHL entry draft.

PARD DETAILS RELEASED

CTV Atlantic News at 6:00 pm revealed that Sea Dogs forward Nicholas Pard was involved in a "drunken fight" at the Sean Kingston concert last night.

Team president Wayne Long would not comment on the incident. Long also didn't deny the report.

Pard is suspended by the team indefinitely.

Several other members of the team were attending the concert but were not reported to be involved. Saint John police are investigating.

The story is getting national attention and has been picked up by the Canadian Press.

PASSINGHAM RETURNS TO THE CHL

Former Saint John Sea Dogs back-up goaltender Troy Passingham has made the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.

Passingham, who played for the Sea Dogs in 2007-08 and the start of the 2008-09, was the third string goalie. The Ontario native was expected to be the back-up last season but was beat out by Karell St-Laurent.

Passingham told the Windsor Star that he went to Sarnia Sting rookie camp but opted to join the Spits after Sarnia did not offer a contract.

"They told me to be ready," Passingham told the Windsor Star about the possibility of playing in net when the Spits raise the Memorial Cup banner. The Spitfires number one goalie Josh Unice is at pro-camp. Windsor opens the OHL season Thursday against Plymouth.

To view the article in the Windsor Star click HERE.

In two games played with Saint John, he is 1-1 with a 3.02 goals against average. Both starts came against the Moncton Wildcats.

Last Season, Passingham played for the Vaughan Vipers of the OJHL. He had an 18-8 record with a 3.08 goals against average.