Post by dogcatcher on Aug 30, 2007 5:53:12 GMT -4
Learning the ropes
Notebook Defenceman Alex Grant named Sea Dogs' captain
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday August 30th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
OROMOCTO - Two Saint John Sea Dogs are in a similar situation this season.
Both Jordan Knox and Michael Kirkpatrick want to have a successful first season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. However, the pair arrived in the Port City in different fashion.
Knox comes into the QMJHL as a 20-year-old after three successful seasons in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League with the Summerside Western Capitals.
Kirkpatrick played last season as a 16-year-old with the Weeks Crushers of the MJAHL.
The game in the QMJHL is different from the MJAHL and both will have to make adjustments. Despite the learning curve, Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said both are adjusting well.
"It's definitely easier coming out of tier II junior A than coming directly from midget," he said.
Both players are somewhat prepared for the grind that comes with playing in the QMJHL, the long schedules and off-ice demands.
What both say is different is the quickness in a few areas.
"I find it's a bit faster out there and you don't have that extra second with the puck," Knox said. "When you get (the puck) you got to know what you're going to do with it. In the (MJAHL), you had an extra second to make a pass."
Knox, who had offers to play in the QMJHL in previous seasons, said he was waiting for a college offer that never materialized before coming to Saint John. He was named the Canadian Junior A player of the ear following a 103-point campaign in 2005-06.
"Jacques pursued me over the summer and it seemed like a good opportunity to come here and help the team get their first playoff berth."
As for Kirkpatrick, he noticed a difference in his first pre-season game, a 3-1 Sea Dogs win over the Moncton Wildcats on Aug. 25.
"It was a little faster, the gaps closed quicker and you had to get your shot off faster," Kirkpatrick said.
While he may have noticed the difference, it would have been hard for anyone at Harbour Station to think he looked out of place. The speedy forward played a solid game and picked up an assist.
Beaulieu believes Kirkpatrick is going to be a special player.
"To get him in the second round of the draft, we feel pretty lucky and he's progressing really well even though we've only had him for a couple of weeks," the Saint John bench boss said.
Kirkpatrick was drafted in the second round of the 2007 QMJHL entry draft (22nd overall).
Knox said he sees the same things from Kirkpatrick as the coaching staff.
"I think he's adjusting well and he's got the smarts and speed to do well here," Knox said.
The players will get the chance to adjust more to the QMJHL on Friday when the Sea Dogs travel to Lewiston for a game with the Maineiacs beginning at 8 p.m.
TOP DOG: The Saint John Sea Dogs named defenceman Alex Grant captain for the 2007-08 season. The announcement was made Wednesday at the Riverside Country Club, where the team held its annual golf tournament.
Grant said getting the 'C' was an unbelievable feeling.
"It means a lot to me and shows the coaching staff has trust in me. I hope to guide the guys to a successful playoff berth and then a successful playoff run."
The third-year Sea Dog said he learned a lot about leadership from last season's captain David MacDonald.
"I saw how hard he worked on the ice, in practice and how well he communicated with the guys in the dressing room," Grant said.
Grant said he plans on leading by example on the ice this year and speaking out in the dressing room when he feels it's necessary. The newly-minted captain will leave the squad for Pittsburgh Penguins training camp on Sept. 5.
Notebook Defenceman Alex Grant named Sea Dogs' captain
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday August 30th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
OROMOCTO - Two Saint John Sea Dogs are in a similar situation this season.
Both Jordan Knox and Michael Kirkpatrick want to have a successful first season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. However, the pair arrived in the Port City in different fashion.
Knox comes into the QMJHL as a 20-year-old after three successful seasons in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League with the Summerside Western Capitals.
Kirkpatrick played last season as a 16-year-old with the Weeks Crushers of the MJAHL.
The game in the QMJHL is different from the MJAHL and both will have to make adjustments. Despite the learning curve, Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said both are adjusting well.
"It's definitely easier coming out of tier II junior A than coming directly from midget," he said.
Both players are somewhat prepared for the grind that comes with playing in the QMJHL, the long schedules and off-ice demands.
What both say is different is the quickness in a few areas.
"I find it's a bit faster out there and you don't have that extra second with the puck," Knox said. "When you get (the puck) you got to know what you're going to do with it. In the (MJAHL), you had an extra second to make a pass."
Knox, who had offers to play in the QMJHL in previous seasons, said he was waiting for a college offer that never materialized before coming to Saint John. He was named the Canadian Junior A player of the ear following a 103-point campaign in 2005-06.
"Jacques pursued me over the summer and it seemed like a good opportunity to come here and help the team get their first playoff berth."
As for Kirkpatrick, he noticed a difference in his first pre-season game, a 3-1 Sea Dogs win over the Moncton Wildcats on Aug. 25.
"It was a little faster, the gaps closed quicker and you had to get your shot off faster," Kirkpatrick said.
While he may have noticed the difference, it would have been hard for anyone at Harbour Station to think he looked out of place. The speedy forward played a solid game and picked up an assist.
Beaulieu believes Kirkpatrick is going to be a special player.
"To get him in the second round of the draft, we feel pretty lucky and he's progressing really well even though we've only had him for a couple of weeks," the Saint John bench boss said.
Kirkpatrick was drafted in the second round of the 2007 QMJHL entry draft (22nd overall).
Knox said he sees the same things from Kirkpatrick as the coaching staff.
"I think he's adjusting well and he's got the smarts and speed to do well here," Knox said.
The players will get the chance to adjust more to the QMJHL on Friday when the Sea Dogs travel to Lewiston for a game with the Maineiacs beginning at 8 p.m.
TOP DOG: The Saint John Sea Dogs named defenceman Alex Grant captain for the 2007-08 season. The announcement was made Wednesday at the Riverside Country Club, where the team held its annual golf tournament.
Grant said getting the 'C' was an unbelievable feeling.
"It means a lot to me and shows the coaching staff has trust in me. I hope to guide the guys to a successful playoff berth and then a successful playoff run."
The third-year Sea Dog said he learned a lot about leadership from last season's captain David MacDonald.
"I saw how hard he worked on the ice, in practice and how well he communicated with the guys in the dressing room," Grant said.
Grant said he plans on leading by example on the ice this year and speaking out in the dressing room when he feels it's necessary. The newly-minted captain will leave the squad for Pittsburgh Penguins training camp on Sept. 5.