Post by dogcatcher on Dec 27, 2007 6:36:56 GMT -4
Mayer is Switzerland's main man
International experience: Sea Dogs rookies Steven Anthony and Simon Despres are playing in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, Ont.
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday December 27th, 2007
Appeared on page B14
SAINT JOHN - Team Switzerland might have its own cheering section in Saint John this holiday season when the World Junior Hockey Championship begins on Boxing Day in the Czech Republic.
While fans in the Port City will be pulling for Canada to win its fourth straight gold medal, Saint John Sea Dogs fans will be keeping an eye on the Swiss squad, which includes Sea Dogs goaltender Robert Mayer.
"This is my first time playing in the tournament," he said. "Last year I played in the under-17 tournament."
The 18-year-old is in his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season with Saint John after being selected third overall by the Sea Dogs in the 2007 Canadian Hockey League import draft. In 17 appearances this season, Mayer has a record of 9-5 with a 3.19 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.
He set a franchise record this season for shutouts in a year with two.
The Swiss netminder will be in tough at the tournament, facing the likes of Canada, Russia, the United States and Sweden. He's not phased by facing the best in the world and actually got himself excited for the tournament watching Team Canada.
"I watched on TV the Canada/Russia series over the summer and it really pumped me up," he said. "I'm excited to play against the best in the world."
The only way Mayer and his teammates would face Canada is in the elimination round of the tournament as both squads are in different groups in the round-robin.
The Swiss are in Group B alongside Finland, the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan.
In an effort to prepare for the tournament, Mayer's goaltending coach from Switzerland, Daniel Humi, flew into Saint John to give his pupil some fine tuning before the event.
"He's been my personal coach since I was nine," Mayer said. "He and Jim (Fleming) gave me a few really good practices and helped me get a mental edge for the juniors."
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the tournament is a big opportunity for the Swiss goalie.
"It's a big audition for him with all the NHL scouts at the tournament," Beaulieu said. "It's very important for him to do well."
As for his first half of play with the Sea Dogs, Beaulieu said he's happy with his rookie netminder's performance.
"I think he's been great so far," the bench boss said. "Technically he's been very sound."
In addition to Mayer, Saint John will lose two more players to international tournaments over the holidays.
Forward Steven Anthony and defenceman Simon Despres will play for Team Atlantic and Team Quebec, respectively, at the 2007 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, Ont. Team Atlantic plays its first game on Dec. 29 against Team USA.
As for Mayer, Switzerland opens play at the world juniors today versus Finland.
LEADERSHIP: The coaches and management staff of Team Atlantic 2008 competing at the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge named Sea Dogs rookie forward Steven Anthony an assistant captain.
New Brunswick is also represented in the leadership of the team with Moncton's Devon MacAusland and Fredericton's Cameron Critchlow also named assistants. The captain is Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador native Travis Randell, who's currently playing with the Halifax Mooseheads.
EVENT: Sea Dogs goalie days will be held for local netminders on Saturday and Sunday at Harbour Station.
For $65, players will get a one-hour goaltending clinic, a Sea Dogs goalie jersey and two tickets to a game. For more information contact Trisha Erb at 632-9260.
International experience: Sea Dogs rookies Steven Anthony and Simon Despres are playing in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, Ont.
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday December 27th, 2007
Appeared on page B14
SAINT JOHN - Team Switzerland might have its own cheering section in Saint John this holiday season when the World Junior Hockey Championship begins on Boxing Day in the Czech Republic.
While fans in the Port City will be pulling for Canada to win its fourth straight gold medal, Saint John Sea Dogs fans will be keeping an eye on the Swiss squad, which includes Sea Dogs goaltender Robert Mayer.
"This is my first time playing in the tournament," he said. "Last year I played in the under-17 tournament."
The 18-year-old is in his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season with Saint John after being selected third overall by the Sea Dogs in the 2007 Canadian Hockey League import draft. In 17 appearances this season, Mayer has a record of 9-5 with a 3.19 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.
He set a franchise record this season for shutouts in a year with two.
The Swiss netminder will be in tough at the tournament, facing the likes of Canada, Russia, the United States and Sweden. He's not phased by facing the best in the world and actually got himself excited for the tournament watching Team Canada.
"I watched on TV the Canada/Russia series over the summer and it really pumped me up," he said. "I'm excited to play against the best in the world."
The only way Mayer and his teammates would face Canada is in the elimination round of the tournament as both squads are in different groups in the round-robin.
The Swiss are in Group B alongside Finland, the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan.
In an effort to prepare for the tournament, Mayer's goaltending coach from Switzerland, Daniel Humi, flew into Saint John to give his pupil some fine tuning before the event.
"He's been my personal coach since I was nine," Mayer said. "He and Jim (Fleming) gave me a few really good practices and helped me get a mental edge for the juniors."
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the tournament is a big opportunity for the Swiss goalie.
"It's a big audition for him with all the NHL scouts at the tournament," Beaulieu said. "It's very important for him to do well."
As for his first half of play with the Sea Dogs, Beaulieu said he's happy with his rookie netminder's performance.
"I think he's been great so far," the bench boss said. "Technically he's been very sound."
In addition to Mayer, Saint John will lose two more players to international tournaments over the holidays.
Forward Steven Anthony and defenceman Simon Despres will play for Team Atlantic and Team Quebec, respectively, at the 2007 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, Ont. Team Atlantic plays its first game on Dec. 29 against Team USA.
As for Mayer, Switzerland opens play at the world juniors today versus Finland.
LEADERSHIP: The coaches and management staff of Team Atlantic 2008 competing at the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge named Sea Dogs rookie forward Steven Anthony an assistant captain.
New Brunswick is also represented in the leadership of the team with Moncton's Devon MacAusland and Fredericton's Cameron Critchlow also named assistants. The captain is Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador native Travis Randell, who's currently playing with the Halifax Mooseheads.
EVENT: Sea Dogs goalie days will be held for local netminders on Saturday and Sunday at Harbour Station.
For $65, players will get a one-hour goaltending clinic, a Sea Dogs goalie jersey and two tickets to a game. For more information contact Trisha Erb at 632-9260.
