Post by dogcatcher on Dec 18, 2007 7:09:27 GMT -4
Sporty Santa has lots of presents in his bag
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday December 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
Ah yes, it's that time of year again to hand out our Christmas gifts for the sporting world with a heavy emphasis on the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
A reminder to all not to take this too seriously - it's meant to be festive and fun and not necessarily in that order.
Sea Dogs beat writer Andrew McGilligan - An autographed Patrick Roy soother. You may recall a column McGilligan wrote a while back where he compared getting an interview with Roy - the Hockey Hall of Famer and coach/general manager of the Quebec Remparts - to getting an audience with the Pope. Apparently St. Patrick didn't like it. He had his henchman call McGilligan demanding an apology and even went as far as calling the Sea Dogs, demanding that they demand an apology from the newspaper. Not sure how things work in Quebec City but the local hockey team doesn't call the shots at the Telegraph-Journal. And when the Sea Dogs returned to Quebec City a month or so later, Roy wouldn't let it go. He had an employee summon McGilligan, who was watching practice the morning after a game. The employee asked if McGilligan would meet with Roy in his office. Not a problem, said McGilligan. When the door closed, Roy went into a classless tirade ripping a strip off our man. McGilligan's only comment during the rant was, 'Are you finished?' and he left the room.
Patrick Roy - An appointment with Saint John dermatologist Dr. Cathy Baxter. It seems Roy has a serious problem with the thickness of his skin.
Saint John Sea Dogs coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu - A toonie to cover the cost of a box of 40 candles he'll be blowing out on Jan. 4.
Beaulieu, Act II - Seeing as the Sea Dogs have done so well on the ice this season (22 wins, 10 losses, one overtime loss and two shootout losses for third place in the East), we'd like to offer Beaulieu a second gift. How about some year-end hardware? If the team continues to roll at this pace, you could make an easy case for Beaulieu taking home either coach of the year honours or executive of the year honours "¦ maybe both.
Sea Dogs tough guy Brett Gallant - A dance partner. As his reputation grows as a premier pugilist in the QMJHL, opponents seem to be harder and harder to come by, despite scraps in his last two games.
Sea Dogs' rookie Andrew Langan of Quispamsis - How about the obvious? His first QMJHL goal. Langan is looking more comfortable each time he hits the ice with the Dogs and with that comfort should come more creativity, something he was known for as a major midget standout.
Saint John goaltender Troy Passingham - a medal for patience. Passingham has been with the Sea Dogs for the entire season but had not played in a single game until Sunday's 4-3 loss. He's listed third on the depth chart behind Travis Fullerton and Robert Mayer. That will change over the holidays when Mayer suits up for Switzerland at the World Junior Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic. Passingham surprised many by making the grade as a free agent out of training camp.
Splash- A fond farewell - Could this be the final season of the world's worst mascot? Again, it's nothing against the person inside the costume.
Chris Di Domenico, reigning Sea Dogs MVP and a mid-season candidiate for QMJHL player of the year - A deep breath. We haven't quite figured out if he's playing possum or he's really that tired. The 18-year-old from Woodbridge, Ont., seems to take never-ending shifts and always looks spent "¦ until the puck comes loose, then he's off to the races. The Sea Dogs even bought some software that charts the length of shifts and he's the runaway leader.
Ryan Sparling - a break - But not the type of breaks he's been getting, such as collar bones and shoulders. The 19-year-old Cape Breton native is a talented forward and one of just two original Sea Dogs. A healthy Sparling will certainly give the Sea Dogs a leg up when it comes to going deep into the playoffs for the first time.
Team captain Alex Grant - Some credit - There still seem to be a number of doubters out there when it comes to the Antigonish product. When Beaulieu decided Grant would be wearing the captain's C this season, the 18-year-old took the challenge and ran with it. This has been Grant's coming out year. He's been contributing all over the ice, including logging more than 30 minutes a game on several occasions.
Second-year defenceman David Stich - some identity - This guy appears to be a budding star but he's not quite there. Blessed with a booming shot and Incredible Hulk-like strength, Stich hasn't really taken that step to the upper echelon "¦ yet.
Sea Dogs' majority owner Scott McCain - a golf lesson - Let's put it this way, it's a good thing he's got a day job. There doesn't appear to be a future on the PGA Tour's senior circuit for the 51-year-old. On a serious note, let's give McCain and his partners - Rick Watt, Wayne Long, Mike McGraw, Paul Chase, Doug Holland and Rod Card - at least one full house at Harbour Station at some point in the New Year? Remember that season when the Saint John Flames sold out 20 of their 40 home games in the 1990s? One has to wonder where all those hockey fans are this season. On the positive side, there are still 15 home games remaining, starting with the Dec. 29 tilt against the Lewiston Maineiacs.
Here's wishing everyone - even Patrick Roy - a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday December 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
Ah yes, it's that time of year again to hand out our Christmas gifts for the sporting world with a heavy emphasis on the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
A reminder to all not to take this too seriously - it's meant to be festive and fun and not necessarily in that order.
Sea Dogs beat writer Andrew McGilligan - An autographed Patrick Roy soother. You may recall a column McGilligan wrote a while back where he compared getting an interview with Roy - the Hockey Hall of Famer and coach/general manager of the Quebec Remparts - to getting an audience with the Pope. Apparently St. Patrick didn't like it. He had his henchman call McGilligan demanding an apology and even went as far as calling the Sea Dogs, demanding that they demand an apology from the newspaper. Not sure how things work in Quebec City but the local hockey team doesn't call the shots at the Telegraph-Journal. And when the Sea Dogs returned to Quebec City a month or so later, Roy wouldn't let it go. He had an employee summon McGilligan, who was watching practice the morning after a game. The employee asked if McGilligan would meet with Roy in his office. Not a problem, said McGilligan. When the door closed, Roy went into a classless tirade ripping a strip off our man. McGilligan's only comment during the rant was, 'Are you finished?' and he left the room.
Patrick Roy - An appointment with Saint John dermatologist Dr. Cathy Baxter. It seems Roy has a serious problem with the thickness of his skin.
Saint John Sea Dogs coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu - A toonie to cover the cost of a box of 40 candles he'll be blowing out on Jan. 4.
Beaulieu, Act II - Seeing as the Sea Dogs have done so well on the ice this season (22 wins, 10 losses, one overtime loss and two shootout losses for third place in the East), we'd like to offer Beaulieu a second gift. How about some year-end hardware? If the team continues to roll at this pace, you could make an easy case for Beaulieu taking home either coach of the year honours or executive of the year honours "¦ maybe both.
Sea Dogs tough guy Brett Gallant - A dance partner. As his reputation grows as a premier pugilist in the QMJHL, opponents seem to be harder and harder to come by, despite scraps in his last two games.
Sea Dogs' rookie Andrew Langan of Quispamsis - How about the obvious? His first QMJHL goal. Langan is looking more comfortable each time he hits the ice with the Dogs and with that comfort should come more creativity, something he was known for as a major midget standout.
Saint John goaltender Troy Passingham - a medal for patience. Passingham has been with the Sea Dogs for the entire season but had not played in a single game until Sunday's 4-3 loss. He's listed third on the depth chart behind Travis Fullerton and Robert Mayer. That will change over the holidays when Mayer suits up for Switzerland at the World Junior Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic. Passingham surprised many by making the grade as a free agent out of training camp.
Splash- A fond farewell - Could this be the final season of the world's worst mascot? Again, it's nothing against the person inside the costume.
Chris Di Domenico, reigning Sea Dogs MVP and a mid-season candidiate for QMJHL player of the year - A deep breath. We haven't quite figured out if he's playing possum or he's really that tired. The 18-year-old from Woodbridge, Ont., seems to take never-ending shifts and always looks spent "¦ until the puck comes loose, then he's off to the races. The Sea Dogs even bought some software that charts the length of shifts and he's the runaway leader.
Ryan Sparling - a break - But not the type of breaks he's been getting, such as collar bones and shoulders. The 19-year-old Cape Breton native is a talented forward and one of just two original Sea Dogs. A healthy Sparling will certainly give the Sea Dogs a leg up when it comes to going deep into the playoffs for the first time.
Team captain Alex Grant - Some credit - There still seem to be a number of doubters out there when it comes to the Antigonish product. When Beaulieu decided Grant would be wearing the captain's C this season, the 18-year-old took the challenge and ran with it. This has been Grant's coming out year. He's been contributing all over the ice, including logging more than 30 minutes a game on several occasions.
Second-year defenceman David Stich - some identity - This guy appears to be a budding star but he's not quite there. Blessed with a booming shot and Incredible Hulk-like strength, Stich hasn't really taken that step to the upper echelon "¦ yet.
Sea Dogs' majority owner Scott McCain - a golf lesson - Let's put it this way, it's a good thing he's got a day job. There doesn't appear to be a future on the PGA Tour's senior circuit for the 51-year-old. On a serious note, let's give McCain and his partners - Rick Watt, Wayne Long, Mike McGraw, Paul Chase, Doug Holland and Rod Card - at least one full house at Harbour Station at some point in the New Year? Remember that season when the Saint John Flames sold out 20 of their 40 home games in the 1990s? One has to wonder where all those hockey fans are this season. On the positive side, there are still 15 home games remaining, starting with the Dec. 29 tilt against the Lewiston Maineiacs.
Here's wishing everyone - even Patrick Roy - a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
