Post by dogcatcher on Jan 15, 2008 8:36:31 GMT -4
Coach sings praises of unsung heroes
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Tuesday January 15th, 2008
Appeared on page B6
SAINT JOHN - Chris Di Domenico batting a puck out of the air from his stomach for a goal, Scott Howes turning a one-on-two rush into a highlight reel marker or Alex Grant letting a rocket go from the point.
Often times, it's those types of plays that bring fans to their feet and burn themselves into the minds of the Saint John Sea Dogs faithful.
What's often overlooked throughout the course of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season is the sacrifice made by players in order to help the team win. The Sea Dogs have plenty of players who don't always make the highlight reels, but are just as crucial to the teams success.
Here's three players who fly under the radar, but are crucial to the Sea Dogs winning formula.
Pascal Amyot, Budding blue-liner
Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said Amyot has come into his own this season. Selected 20th overall by the Sea Dogs in the second-round of the 2006 QMJHL draft, Beaulieu said it wasn't a question of if but when Amyot would come into his own.
"He's grown by leaps and bounds in confidence, skating and strength wise," the bench boss said. "He's got incredible hockey sense and we knew he was going to be good. It was just a matter of development."
"He's got a quiet personality and I think last year he played a quiet game. This year he's got more confidence and is a top four (defenceman)."
Not an easy accomplishment on a star-studded Saint John defence corps that includes three first overall selections - Alex Grant, Yann Sauve and Simon Despres - as well as bruising Czech blue-liner David Stich and the always steady Jeff McNeil.
Amyot has a few highlights this season such as recording his first two QMJHL goals as well as a two assist, 7 rating in a 9-2 Sea Dogs road win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Dec. 28.
Alexandre Leduc and Francois Gauthier, shutdown duo
Leduc and Gauthier make the list together because you rarely see one without the other on the ice. The pair take a regular shift with centreman Michael Kirkpatrick and kill penalties together. Both players were added to the Sea Dogs lineup during last year's holiday trading period.
"They play a whole lot of minutes for us," Beaulieu said. "They play on the shutdown line and go against top end guys every night, it's tough playing against premier players because you don't think about offence and you don't get a lot of points."
The role takes some getting used to as many players entering the QMJHL were offensive minded in midget hockey.
"All my career I was an offensive player," Leduc said. "Jacques gave me this role and I accepted it because I wanted to win."
"I know we need those kinds of guys and I know we don't get a lot of points when we do that stuff, but if you're a team player you accept the role."
Despite primarily playing a defensive role, the duo has combined for 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points in 43 games.
HONOURS: Rimouski Oceanic forward Keven Veilleux and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies defenceman Marc-Andre Bourdon have been named the offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.
Veilleux registered two goals and six assists in three Oceanic wins last week. His best game was a three-point effort as Rimouski downed the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 4-2. Halifax Mooseheads forwards Jakub Voracek and Andrew White along with Prince Edward Island Rocket forward Bradley Gallant were also considered for the award.
Bourdon takes the defensive honour for the second week in a row. In three Huskies wins, Bourdon had two goals, two assists and a 4 rating. Goaltenders Marco Cousineau of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Kevin Desfosses of the Quebec Remparts and Halifax blue-liner Andrew Bodnarchuk were also considered.
HALL OF FAME: The names of three players and one coach who will be inducted into the QMJHL hall of fame on April 2 were announced Monday. The three players include defenceman Eric Desjardins and forwards Michel Deziel and Pierre Turgeon. Orval Tessier will be inducted as a coach.
SPECIAL NIGHT: Friday's home game versus the Prince Edward Island Rocket has been designated Support the Troops Night by the Sea Dogs organization. Several special events will be taking place throughout the evening as well as special ticket prices. Upper bowl tickets to the game will be available for $8 while anyone with a valid Canadian Forces ID can purchase a ticket for $5.
Fans are also encouraged to wear red to show their support for the troops while limited edition Sea Dogs-Canadian Forces T-shirts will be on sale.
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Tuesday January 15th, 2008
Appeared on page B6
SAINT JOHN - Chris Di Domenico batting a puck out of the air from his stomach for a goal, Scott Howes turning a one-on-two rush into a highlight reel marker or Alex Grant letting a rocket go from the point.
Often times, it's those types of plays that bring fans to their feet and burn themselves into the minds of the Saint John Sea Dogs faithful.
What's often overlooked throughout the course of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season is the sacrifice made by players in order to help the team win. The Sea Dogs have plenty of players who don't always make the highlight reels, but are just as crucial to the teams success.
Here's three players who fly under the radar, but are crucial to the Sea Dogs winning formula.
Pascal Amyot, Budding blue-liner
Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said Amyot has come into his own this season. Selected 20th overall by the Sea Dogs in the second-round of the 2006 QMJHL draft, Beaulieu said it wasn't a question of if but when Amyot would come into his own.
"He's grown by leaps and bounds in confidence, skating and strength wise," the bench boss said. "He's got incredible hockey sense and we knew he was going to be good. It was just a matter of development."
"He's got a quiet personality and I think last year he played a quiet game. This year he's got more confidence and is a top four (defenceman)."
Not an easy accomplishment on a star-studded Saint John defence corps that includes three first overall selections - Alex Grant, Yann Sauve and Simon Despres - as well as bruising Czech blue-liner David Stich and the always steady Jeff McNeil.
Amyot has a few highlights this season such as recording his first two QMJHL goals as well as a two assist, 7 rating in a 9-2 Sea Dogs road win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Dec. 28.
Alexandre Leduc and Francois Gauthier, shutdown duo
Leduc and Gauthier make the list together because you rarely see one without the other on the ice. The pair take a regular shift with centreman Michael Kirkpatrick and kill penalties together. Both players were added to the Sea Dogs lineup during last year's holiday trading period.
"They play a whole lot of minutes for us," Beaulieu said. "They play on the shutdown line and go against top end guys every night, it's tough playing against premier players because you don't think about offence and you don't get a lot of points."
The role takes some getting used to as many players entering the QMJHL were offensive minded in midget hockey.
"All my career I was an offensive player," Leduc said. "Jacques gave me this role and I accepted it because I wanted to win."
"I know we need those kinds of guys and I know we don't get a lot of points when we do that stuff, but if you're a team player you accept the role."
Despite primarily playing a defensive role, the duo has combined for 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points in 43 games.
HONOURS: Rimouski Oceanic forward Keven Veilleux and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies defenceman Marc-Andre Bourdon have been named the offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.
Veilleux registered two goals and six assists in three Oceanic wins last week. His best game was a three-point effort as Rimouski downed the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 4-2. Halifax Mooseheads forwards Jakub Voracek and Andrew White along with Prince Edward Island Rocket forward Bradley Gallant were also considered for the award.
Bourdon takes the defensive honour for the second week in a row. In three Huskies wins, Bourdon had two goals, two assists and a 4 rating. Goaltenders Marco Cousineau of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Kevin Desfosses of the Quebec Remparts and Halifax blue-liner Andrew Bodnarchuk were also considered.
HALL OF FAME: The names of three players and one coach who will be inducted into the QMJHL hall of fame on April 2 were announced Monday. The three players include defenceman Eric Desjardins and forwards Michel Deziel and Pierre Turgeon. Orval Tessier will be inducted as a coach.
SPECIAL NIGHT: Friday's home game versus the Prince Edward Island Rocket has been designated Support the Troops Night by the Sea Dogs organization. Several special events will be taking place throughout the evening as well as special ticket prices. Upper bowl tickets to the game will be available for $8 while anyone with a valid Canadian Forces ID can purchase a ticket for $5.
Fans are also encouraged to wear red to show their support for the troops while limited edition Sea Dogs-Canadian Forces T-shirts will be on sale.