Post by dogcatcher on Aug 29, 2007 5:43:37 GMT -4
Raring to go
QMJHL Sea Dogs' defenceman Yann Sauve returns for second year loaded with confidence
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday August 29th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
OROMOCTO - The stick Yann Sauve holds in his hand looks a little different from the one he used last season.
All along the shaft he's got white tape circling the stick. He picked this habit up in the Czech Republic as part of Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial World under-18 tournament.
"I did it when I was over there and I decided to keep doing it," said the Saint John Sea Dogs second-year defenceman.
The tape job seemed to work as Sauve was one of Canada's top four defencemen in the tournament, according to Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu.
"He played very well. The role he was given was to be a shut-down guy and play against their top line and he did very well."
For his part, Sauve said the mere mention of him wearing the maple leaf and playing for Canada still gives him a chill. The experience also gave him something else.
"It gave me a lot of confidence because I played well and played a lot," he said.
He was also named an assistant captain on the team. Beaulieu said the role he played in the Czech Republic and the confidence boost will be key for the upcoming season.
"That's the type of defenceman he has to be; a defensive defenceman who jumps into the play when he can," Beaulieu said.
The Team Canada experience also helped Sauve become more of a leader on the team. The Sea Dogs bench boss said since Sauve returned from the tournament he's been more vocal on the ice and in the dressing room.
"It's his second year, so things will be a little bit easier for him, but you have to remember he's still a young guy," Beaulieu said.
This season is a big one for Sauve as this is his National Hockey League draft year. He knows what's at stake and said he's determined to work hard.
"I've just got to keep working and get better and hopefully I can be a high draft pick," Sauve said.
As for the season, he's excited to be back with his teammates and expects big things from the blue-liners.
"I think we've got the best defence in the league and we'll be solid this year and next."
TRADE DEADLINE: Several teams completed deals before Monday's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League trade deadline.
The Quebec Remparts sent Benjamin Rubin to the Gatineau Olympiques for a 10th round pick in the 2008 QMJHL entry draft.
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles dealt 19-year-old Shawn O'Donnell to the Halifax Mooseheads for 10th round pick in 2008.
The Shawinagan Cataractes sent forward Dominic Savoie and a fourth round pick in 2008 to the Lewiston Maineiacs for defenceman Sebastien Piche.
The Cataractes then dealt goaltender Francis Boulianne to the Val d'Or Foreurs for a 10th round pick in 2008.
The Drummondville Voltigeurs acquired Bradley Dyke and an 11th round selection in 2008 from the St. John's Fog Devils for goaltender Michael Kowalew and a sixth round pick in 2008. The Voltigeurs also dealt a 12th round pick to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for forward Lucas Labelle.
QMJHL Sea Dogs' defenceman Yann Sauve returns for second year loaded with confidence
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday August 29th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
OROMOCTO - The stick Yann Sauve holds in his hand looks a little different from the one he used last season.
All along the shaft he's got white tape circling the stick. He picked this habit up in the Czech Republic as part of Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial World under-18 tournament.
"I did it when I was over there and I decided to keep doing it," said the Saint John Sea Dogs second-year defenceman.
The tape job seemed to work as Sauve was one of Canada's top four defencemen in the tournament, according to Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu.
"He played very well. The role he was given was to be a shut-down guy and play against their top line and he did very well."
For his part, Sauve said the mere mention of him wearing the maple leaf and playing for Canada still gives him a chill. The experience also gave him something else.
"It gave me a lot of confidence because I played well and played a lot," he said.
He was also named an assistant captain on the team. Beaulieu said the role he played in the Czech Republic and the confidence boost will be key for the upcoming season.
"That's the type of defenceman he has to be; a defensive defenceman who jumps into the play when he can," Beaulieu said.
The Team Canada experience also helped Sauve become more of a leader on the team. The Sea Dogs bench boss said since Sauve returned from the tournament he's been more vocal on the ice and in the dressing room.
"It's his second year, so things will be a little bit easier for him, but you have to remember he's still a young guy," Beaulieu said.
This season is a big one for Sauve as this is his National Hockey League draft year. He knows what's at stake and said he's determined to work hard.
"I've just got to keep working and get better and hopefully I can be a high draft pick," Sauve said.
As for the season, he's excited to be back with his teammates and expects big things from the blue-liners.
"I think we've got the best defence in the league and we'll be solid this year and next."
TRADE DEADLINE: Several teams completed deals before Monday's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League trade deadline.
The Quebec Remparts sent Benjamin Rubin to the Gatineau Olympiques for a 10th round pick in the 2008 QMJHL entry draft.
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles dealt 19-year-old Shawn O'Donnell to the Halifax Mooseheads for 10th round pick in 2008.
The Shawinagan Cataractes sent forward Dominic Savoie and a fourth round pick in 2008 to the Lewiston Maineiacs for defenceman Sebastien Piche.
The Cataractes then dealt goaltender Francis Boulianne to the Val d'Or Foreurs for a 10th round pick in 2008.
The Drummondville Voltigeurs acquired Bradley Dyke and an 11th round selection in 2008 from the St. John's Fog Devils for goaltender Michael Kowalew and a sixth round pick in 2008. The Voltigeurs also dealt a 12th round pick to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for forward Lucas Labelle.