Post by dogcatcher on Sept 15, 2007 8:07:48 GMT -4
Pumped up for P.E.I.
Going home: Sunday's game against the Rocket holds extra meaning for two Sea Dogs
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday September 15th, 2007
Appeared on page C12
SAINT JOHN - While Harbour Station is the home of the Sea Dogs, Sunday's game in Prince Edward Island against the Rocket will be a home game for two players.
Forwards Brett Gallant and Jordan Knox grew up playing minor hockey on the Island and are excited to get back home early in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season.
"It's always nice to get back home and play in front of the fans," Gallant said. "I get a little extra energy playing (in P.E.I.) for sure."
While Gallant was in the lineup for the Sea Dogs' opening night 4-1 loss in Lewiston against the Maineiacs, Knox was sitting in the stands.
"The first game of the year, well, any game of the year, it's hard to sit and watch," Knox said.
The 20-year-old Tignish native wasn't injured, but was a healthy scratch due to some unfinished business.
Knox played the last few seasons with the Summerside Capitals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League and that team has not given him his release to play with Saint John. While the Sea Dogs have not revealed the asking price for Knox's release, the rumoured amount is between $5,000 and $10,000.
"I want to be out there, so it's kind of unfortunate what's going on, but I'm just going to keep working hard and hope it gets worked out," Knox said.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the team is working hard to get the situation cleared up.
"We don't know if he's going to be able to play (in P.E.I.). We're still working on his release," Beaulieu said. "We've got league officials involved and hopefully we can get it done before Sunday."
Regardless of whether Knox is in the lineup or not, Saint John will have to tighten up in a few areas if they want to notch their first win of the campaign.
Beaulieu said he feels the team can play with anyone in the league, but it needs to cut down on mistakes.
"We were way too risky (in Lewiston)," he said. "We took some chances that cost us goals and took too many penalties. You do that and you're not going to win many hockey games."
The Sea Dogs penalty killers did a good job killing off the man advantage, allowing just one power-play goal on the Maineiacs' eight chances.
So what will the Saint John squad change before the game with the Rocket?
"We like the game plan," Beaulieu said. "We'll see how the next two practices go and see if we want to make any lineup changes."
The Sea Dogs take on the Rocket on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Charlottetown.
TRADE: The Rimouski Oceanic acquired Louis-Etienne Leblanc from the Val-d'Or Foreurs for a fourth and 10th round draft pick in the 2008 QMJHL entry draft. In 70 games last season, Leblanc had three goals, 23 assists and was a plus-21.
FUN RUN: The Sea Dogs Fun Run gets underway today with registration beginning at 1 p.m. at Harbour Station. The cost of the event is $15 per adult, $10 for youth (14 years of age or younger) and $40 for a family of four. Proceeds from the Fun Run will go to the Sea Dogs Foundation.
Going home: Sunday's game against the Rocket holds extra meaning for two Sea Dogs
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday September 15th, 2007
Appeared on page C12
SAINT JOHN - While Harbour Station is the home of the Sea Dogs, Sunday's game in Prince Edward Island against the Rocket will be a home game for two players.
Forwards Brett Gallant and Jordan Knox grew up playing minor hockey on the Island and are excited to get back home early in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season.
"It's always nice to get back home and play in front of the fans," Gallant said. "I get a little extra energy playing (in P.E.I.) for sure."
While Gallant was in the lineup for the Sea Dogs' opening night 4-1 loss in Lewiston against the Maineiacs, Knox was sitting in the stands.
"The first game of the year, well, any game of the year, it's hard to sit and watch," Knox said.
The 20-year-old Tignish native wasn't injured, but was a healthy scratch due to some unfinished business.
Knox played the last few seasons with the Summerside Capitals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League and that team has not given him his release to play with Saint John. While the Sea Dogs have not revealed the asking price for Knox's release, the rumoured amount is between $5,000 and $10,000.
"I want to be out there, so it's kind of unfortunate what's going on, but I'm just going to keep working hard and hope it gets worked out," Knox said.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the team is working hard to get the situation cleared up.
"We don't know if he's going to be able to play (in P.E.I.). We're still working on his release," Beaulieu said. "We've got league officials involved and hopefully we can get it done before Sunday."
Regardless of whether Knox is in the lineup or not, Saint John will have to tighten up in a few areas if they want to notch their first win of the campaign.
Beaulieu said he feels the team can play with anyone in the league, but it needs to cut down on mistakes.
"We were way too risky (in Lewiston)," he said. "We took some chances that cost us goals and took too many penalties. You do that and you're not going to win many hockey games."
The Sea Dogs penalty killers did a good job killing off the man advantage, allowing just one power-play goal on the Maineiacs' eight chances.
So what will the Saint John squad change before the game with the Rocket?
"We like the game plan," Beaulieu said. "We'll see how the next two practices go and see if we want to make any lineup changes."
The Sea Dogs take on the Rocket on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Charlottetown.
TRADE: The Rimouski Oceanic acquired Louis-Etienne Leblanc from the Val-d'Or Foreurs for a fourth and 10th round draft pick in the 2008 QMJHL entry draft. In 70 games last season, Leblanc had three goals, 23 assists and was a plus-21.
FUN RUN: The Sea Dogs Fun Run gets underway today with registration beginning at 1 p.m. at Harbour Station. The cost of the event is $15 per adult, $10 for youth (14 years of age or younger) and $40 for a family of four. Proceeds from the Fun Run will go to the Sea Dogs Foundation.
