Post by dogcatcher on Oct 11, 2007 6:36:26 GMT -4
Newest Sea Dog moves to top line
QMJHL Scott Howes replaces injured Sparling as team prepares for Rimouski
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday October 11th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - Scott Howes has no idea what next season will bring, and he's alright with that.
The 20-year-old Saint John Sea Dogs forward learned a valuable lesson earlier this season while playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. As an undrafted player in his final year of major junior eligibility Howes spent a lot of time worrying about his career. A bit of soul searching and a chat with then coach Guy Boucher made him realize he couldn't control the future, only the now.
"At the start of the year it was on my mind a lot," he said. "I talked with my coach in Drummondville and he told me I can't control it, so just go out and play.
"So it's play hard here, play hard now and see where my skill and work takes me."
Howes said the trade to Saint John was a surprise. He knew he was playing on a young team in Drummondville, but didn't expect any movement until Christmas.
"I skated the morning skate and did everything I usually do and then I got called into the (coach's) office," the Toronto native said in an interview this week.
"Inside I was excited, but I knew as soon as I left the office I'd have to go and say goodbye to the guys."
Now in Saint John, Howes just wants to stay healthy and do what it takes to help the Sea Dogs win. While he's a player with a nose for the net, Howes had 42 points in 47 games last season with the Voltigeurs, he's most at home in the trenches.
"Personally, I love the corners," he said. "The front of the net is sort of a bonus to me. Most of the time to get the puck in front, someone has to go to the corners and I like to go."
It's that toughness that Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu likes about his new forward.
"He's got a good two-way game and he's a guy who finishes his hits," Beaulieu said. "We're not the most gritty team up front, so it was a good addition that way."
Howes will replace another gritty forward, Ryan Sparling, on the Sea Dogs top line with Chris Di Domenico and Payton Liske. Sparling is out at least two weeks with a separated shoulder.
The trio will be an all Ontario combination. Di Domenico is from Woodbridge while Liske hails from Welland.
"It's neat to see other guys from Ontario," Howes said. "It helps to have that connection so far from home."
TOP GOALIE: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles goaltender Olivier Bellevance-Roy has been named the ADT Canadian Hockey League goaltender of the week.
The rookie backstop posted three wins, two by shutout, while maintaining a 1.00 goals-against average. His shutout streak of 167 minutes and 51 seconds over the week was the fourth longest in QMJHL history. Dan Spence of the Calgary Hitmen and Chris Carrozzi of the Mississauga Majors were also considered for the award.
CHEAP SEATS: Every Thursday is student night at the Moncton Coliseum beginning with tonight's contest between the Moncton Wildcats and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Fans with a valid student I.D. card can purchase a ticket for $7.
QMJHL Scott Howes replaces injured Sparling as team prepares for Rimouski
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday October 11th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - Scott Howes has no idea what next season will bring, and he's alright with that.
The 20-year-old Saint John Sea Dogs forward learned a valuable lesson earlier this season while playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. As an undrafted player in his final year of major junior eligibility Howes spent a lot of time worrying about his career. A bit of soul searching and a chat with then coach Guy Boucher made him realize he couldn't control the future, only the now.
"At the start of the year it was on my mind a lot," he said. "I talked with my coach in Drummondville and he told me I can't control it, so just go out and play.
"So it's play hard here, play hard now and see where my skill and work takes me."
Howes said the trade to Saint John was a surprise. He knew he was playing on a young team in Drummondville, but didn't expect any movement until Christmas.
"I skated the morning skate and did everything I usually do and then I got called into the (coach's) office," the Toronto native said in an interview this week.
"Inside I was excited, but I knew as soon as I left the office I'd have to go and say goodbye to the guys."
Now in Saint John, Howes just wants to stay healthy and do what it takes to help the Sea Dogs win. While he's a player with a nose for the net, Howes had 42 points in 47 games last season with the Voltigeurs, he's most at home in the trenches.
"Personally, I love the corners," he said. "The front of the net is sort of a bonus to me. Most of the time to get the puck in front, someone has to go to the corners and I like to go."
It's that toughness that Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu likes about his new forward.
"He's got a good two-way game and he's a guy who finishes his hits," Beaulieu said. "We're not the most gritty team up front, so it was a good addition that way."
Howes will replace another gritty forward, Ryan Sparling, on the Sea Dogs top line with Chris Di Domenico and Payton Liske. Sparling is out at least two weeks with a separated shoulder.
The trio will be an all Ontario combination. Di Domenico is from Woodbridge while Liske hails from Welland.
"It's neat to see other guys from Ontario," Howes said. "It helps to have that connection so far from home."
TOP GOALIE: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles goaltender Olivier Bellevance-Roy has been named the ADT Canadian Hockey League goaltender of the week.
The rookie backstop posted three wins, two by shutout, while maintaining a 1.00 goals-against average. His shutout streak of 167 minutes and 51 seconds over the week was the fourth longest in QMJHL history. Dan Spence of the Calgary Hitmen and Chris Carrozzi of the Mississauga Majors were also considered for the award.
CHEAP SEATS: Every Thursday is student night at the Moncton Coliseum beginning with tonight's contest between the Moncton Wildcats and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Fans with a valid student I.D. card can purchase a ticket for $7.