Post by dogcatcher on Aug 31, 2007 5:39:38 GMT -4
Dogs think they've sniffed out a gem
QMJHL Saint John will go a lineup that includes three goaltenders, including undrafted Troy Passingham of Toronto
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday August 31st, 2007
Appeared on page B14
OROMOCTO - It's a story the Saint John Sea Dogs are familiar with.
A player passed over in two Ontario Hockey League drafts ends up with the Sea Dogs and makes everyone in Ontario wonder how they missed him.
Last year it was forward Chris Di Domenico making OHL teams shake their heads. Now another player is looking to do the same.
Goaltender Troy Passingham of Toronto will be part of the Sea Dogs team when the puck drops on the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season on Sept. 13.
"Camp has gone really well for me and this is a big break," the 16-year-old said.
This doesn't mean Swiss import Robert Mayer or 20-year-old Travis Fullerton will be leaving the team.
"The situation is we'll be starting the season with three goalies and see what happens," said head coach and general manager of the Sea Dogs Jacques Beaulieu.
Passingham played last season with the Vaughan Knights in the midget AAA division of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
He was spotted by Sea Dogs scout Al Mason, the same guy who found Di Domenico. Passingham said Mason spoke with him about coming to training camp and he's glad he did.
While many expected the goaltending race to be between Mayer, Fullerton, Mathew Dopud and Karel St. Laurent; Passingham quietly went about his business. However, even he admits to be surprised by how well he's done.
"I was supposed to be gone after 48 hours because of my NCAA eligibility, so it was big surprise they kept me around," he said.
He's making the most of his surroundings asking Fullerton for advice and having the first goaltending coach of his career in Jim Fleming.
"Everyone has been a huge help," he said. "(Fullerton) has helped a lot because he knows a lot from playing in this league."
Beaulieu said the team feels like they've found another gem.
"I think he's special, I really do," the Saint John bench boss said. "We're pretty excited about him and we feel like we've got a heck of a goaltender."
"If you watch practice, not many guys score on him."
CUTS: Forward Phillipe Richer, the Sea Dogs fourth round pick in the 2007 QMJHL draft, has been sent back for another year of midget AAA hockey.
Beaulieu said the decision was a mutual one between Richer and the team.
"He felt he needed to get stronger and he thought another year of midget would be good for him to build some muscle mass," Beaulieu said.
Richer had seven goals and 13 assists in 44 games with the Laurentides Vikings last season. Beaulieu said Richer will be a good player for the Sea Dogs next season.
"I believe he's going to be a good player for us in the future," he said. "He'll be on our team next year for sure."
PRO CAMPS: The Sea Dogs will lose four players on Tuesday to National Hockey League training camps.
Brett Gallant will be with the Ottawa Senators, Alex Grant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, David Stich with the Dallas Stars and Di Domenico with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
QMJHL Saint John will go a lineup that includes three goaltenders, including undrafted Troy Passingham of Toronto
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday August 31st, 2007
Appeared on page B14
OROMOCTO - It's a story the Saint John Sea Dogs are familiar with.
A player passed over in two Ontario Hockey League drafts ends up with the Sea Dogs and makes everyone in Ontario wonder how they missed him.
Last year it was forward Chris Di Domenico making OHL teams shake their heads. Now another player is looking to do the same.
Goaltender Troy Passingham of Toronto will be part of the Sea Dogs team when the puck drops on the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season on Sept. 13.
"Camp has gone really well for me and this is a big break," the 16-year-old said.
This doesn't mean Swiss import Robert Mayer or 20-year-old Travis Fullerton will be leaving the team.
"The situation is we'll be starting the season with three goalies and see what happens," said head coach and general manager of the Sea Dogs Jacques Beaulieu.
Passingham played last season with the Vaughan Knights in the midget AAA division of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
He was spotted by Sea Dogs scout Al Mason, the same guy who found Di Domenico. Passingham said Mason spoke with him about coming to training camp and he's glad he did.
While many expected the goaltending race to be between Mayer, Fullerton, Mathew Dopud and Karel St. Laurent; Passingham quietly went about his business. However, even he admits to be surprised by how well he's done.
"I was supposed to be gone after 48 hours because of my NCAA eligibility, so it was big surprise they kept me around," he said.
He's making the most of his surroundings asking Fullerton for advice and having the first goaltending coach of his career in Jim Fleming.
"Everyone has been a huge help," he said. "(Fullerton) has helped a lot because he knows a lot from playing in this league."
Beaulieu said the team feels like they've found another gem.
"I think he's special, I really do," the Saint John bench boss said. "We're pretty excited about him and we feel like we've got a heck of a goaltender."
"If you watch practice, not many guys score on him."
CUTS: Forward Phillipe Richer, the Sea Dogs fourth round pick in the 2007 QMJHL draft, has been sent back for another year of midget AAA hockey.
Beaulieu said the decision was a mutual one between Richer and the team.
"He felt he needed to get stronger and he thought another year of midget would be good for him to build some muscle mass," Beaulieu said.
Richer had seven goals and 13 assists in 44 games with the Laurentides Vikings last season. Beaulieu said Richer will be a good player for the Sea Dogs next season.
"I believe he's going to be a good player for us in the future," he said. "He'll be on our team next year for sure."
PRO CAMPS: The Sea Dogs will lose four players on Tuesday to National Hockey League training camps.
Brett Gallant will be with the Ottawa Senators, Alex Grant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, David Stich with the Dallas Stars and Di Domenico with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
