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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2008 13:09:40 GMT -4
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Post by bjindaho on Jul 5, 2008 13:40:47 GMT -4
we don't post here...but yeah, it happened yesterday.
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Post by canucklehead on Jul 5, 2008 14:03:50 GMT -4
The Sea Dogs portion is kinda outta date cuz nobody posts here much anymore but yeah it's actually been known for awhile.
He got the call the day after the draft he was supposed to be going home for a few weeks guess there was a change in his plans ;D
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Post by canucklehead on Jul 10, 2008 9:38:25 GMT -4
Non-drafted Sea Dogs invited to NHL camps
Published Thursday July 10th, 2008
B12 Nathan White
Telegraph-Journal
They were passed over in the National Hockey League draft, but two Saint John Sea Dogs are getting a second chance to take a step toward playing pro hockey.
Goaltender Robert Mayer is attending a week-long development camp with the Montreal Canadiens, while defenceman Pascal Amyot is participating in a similar camp with the Washington Capitals.
Although both appeared in NHL Central Scouting's pre-draft rankings, they were not selected on draft day in Ottawa last month. However, they made enough of an impression to warrant another look. Development camps are mini training camps that give potential rookies a taste of life in The Show while giving teams a chance to assess their skills up close. The rosters feature a mix of draft picks, free agents and minor pro affiliates.
"It's awesome, like a dream come true. Being in this locker room is just unbelievable," Mayer said Wednesday, reached on his mobile phone at the Bell Centre after his third day of hard work at the camp. "It opens your eyes and shows you how much more work you have to do. I'm so pumped now to think I can come play here."
The players dress at the Bell Centre before busing to a nearby practice arena. Mayer, one of three netminders in the camp, said he has been working mostly with Canadiens goalie coach Roland Melanson, a Shediac native, and has also done goalie-specific off-ice conditioning.
"Rollie Melanson knows what a goaltender needs. I really appreciate being here with him, he gives a lot of feedback and tells me which areas I can improve," said the six-foot-one, 190-pound backstop. "There's a lot of stuff, movement in the crease and stuff like that. It's a big opportunity for me to show what I can do."
The Switzerland native was an 18-year-old rookie last season after Saint John made him the third overall pick in the 2007 Canadian Hockey League Import draft. He had a respectable first half, posting a 3.37 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in 17 appearances. But he faltered after playing for his country at the World Junior Championship. In 15 second-half games, he stumbled to a 4.27 GAA and .864 SP, ending up at 3.77 and .877 for the year.
"I kind of was (disappointed) when I wasn't drafted, but I didn't have a good second half, the end of the season wasn't good, so I kind of expected it. But I'm looking forward to a new season, to do my best and maybe get drafted next year," he said.
The Sea Dogs have a lot invested in Mayer, and still believe he can be an elite No. 1 goalie capable of carrying them to the Memorial Cup. Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu has repeatedly stated his belief that Mayer's second season will be much better now that he has adjusted to North America. While eight goalies changed hands on draft day, Beaulieu did nothing to bring in another netminder to challenge Mayer. Rival GMs say he hasn't even been asking.
Mayer appreciates the vote of confidence.
"I want to be with Saint John and play every game. My goals are to play as many games as I possibly can."
The invite to Canadiens camp came late last month. The night before he was scheduled to fly home, he got a call at 11 p.m. from agent Scott Russell telling him about the opportunity. He had to delay his flight until Monday, when he'll fly back for three weeks before returning to Saint John to continue training with Sea Dogs goalie coach Jim Fleming and head athletic therapist Jeff Kelly.
Meanwhile, Amyot is rubbing shoulders with four first-round picks, including defenceman Karl Alzner, who played for Canada at the world juniors in 2007 and 2008. The six-foot-three, 188-pound Amyot also has to contend with former Quebec League snipers Francois Bouchard and ex-Titan Mathieu Perreault. Amyot had two goals and 16 points in 63 games as a 17-year-old last year, his second in the league.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2008 0:20:47 GMT -4
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