Post by dogcatcher on Oct 18, 2007 6:53:49 GMT -4
Dogs keep letters in check
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday October 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B8
SAINT JOHN - If you look closely, there's a few letters missing on at least two of the Saint John Sea Dogs jerseys.
All of their names are spelled right, the missing letters are on the front left side of their sweaters. Saint John has yet to put an A on any of the players jerseys indicating an assistant captain. They're the only team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League without the designation for players.
Saint John has only named Alex Grant as their captain this season.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the lack of assistant captains has nothing to do with the leadership of his players.
"A lot of the guys are leaders on the club," Beaulieu said. "A number of them have taken the ball and run with it this season."
The team is also off to their best start in franchise history which has Beaulieu sticking to the adage: if it's not broke, don't fix it.
The Saint John bench boss is also happy with the play and leadership of Grant. The third-year defenceman is off to a good start logging a lot of minutes with four points and a plus-6 rating.
"(Grant) has been outstanding and really good in the room," the head coach said.
The captain said he's not feeling the pressure of being the only player with a letter.
"It doesn't matter if a guy is 16 or 20 on this team, everyone is showing a lot of leadership," Grant said. "It's a blast coming to the rink right now because we've come together so well and it's like a big family this year."
"There's a few guys for sure who could be wearing the (captain's) C. Guys who go out every night, play hard and are great in the room."
As for whether or not the team will select alternates, Beaulieu said he's undecided.
"We might pick some or we might stick to the old school tradition of just having a captain," he said.
While Beaulieu believes several players could be considered for the assistant captaincy roles, he did mention a few names.
"Guys like (Ryan) Sparling are stepping up and (Francois) Gauthier has been a leader in the room," the head coach said.
The Sea Dogs next game is Saturday when they host Claude Giroux and the Gatineau Olympiques at Harbour Station beginning at 7 p.m.
TOP 10: Three QMJHL teams are ranked in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, the top team in the QMJHL, are ranked second with a record of 10-2-1-0. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar are seventh after posting an 8-3-0-1 start while the Halifax Mooseheads round out the top 10 with a record of 8-3-0-0. The top team in the CHL rankings is the Sault Ste-Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. The Hounds are 10-0-1-0 this season after 11 games.
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday October 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B8
SAINT JOHN - If you look closely, there's a few letters missing on at least two of the Saint John Sea Dogs jerseys.
All of their names are spelled right, the missing letters are on the front left side of their sweaters. Saint John has yet to put an A on any of the players jerseys indicating an assistant captain. They're the only team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League without the designation for players.
Saint John has only named Alex Grant as their captain this season.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the lack of assistant captains has nothing to do with the leadership of his players.
"A lot of the guys are leaders on the club," Beaulieu said. "A number of them have taken the ball and run with it this season."
The team is also off to their best start in franchise history which has Beaulieu sticking to the adage: if it's not broke, don't fix it.
The Saint John bench boss is also happy with the play and leadership of Grant. The third-year defenceman is off to a good start logging a lot of minutes with four points and a plus-6 rating.
"(Grant) has been outstanding and really good in the room," the head coach said.
The captain said he's not feeling the pressure of being the only player with a letter.
"It doesn't matter if a guy is 16 or 20 on this team, everyone is showing a lot of leadership," Grant said. "It's a blast coming to the rink right now because we've come together so well and it's like a big family this year."
"There's a few guys for sure who could be wearing the (captain's) C. Guys who go out every night, play hard and are great in the room."
As for whether or not the team will select alternates, Beaulieu said he's undecided.
"We might pick some or we might stick to the old school tradition of just having a captain," he said.
While Beaulieu believes several players could be considered for the assistant captaincy roles, he did mention a few names.
"Guys like (Ryan) Sparling are stepping up and (Francois) Gauthier has been a leader in the room," the head coach said.
The Sea Dogs next game is Saturday when they host Claude Giroux and the Gatineau Olympiques at Harbour Station beginning at 7 p.m.
TOP 10: Three QMJHL teams are ranked in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, the top team in the QMJHL, are ranked second with a record of 10-2-1-0. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar are seventh after posting an 8-3-0-1 start while the Halifax Mooseheads round out the top 10 with a record of 8-3-0-0. The top team in the CHL rankings is the Sault Ste-Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. The Hounds are 10-0-1-0 this season after 11 games.
