Post by dogcatcher on Aug 16, 2007 6:11:12 GMT -4
TIME TO SHINE
QMJHL: Scott McCain feels the Sea Dogs have built a good foundation for success this season
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday August 16th, 2007
Appeared on page B14
SAINT JOHN - When the Saint John Sea Dogs began their inaugural season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League three years ago, majority owner Scott McCain knew the team was in for an uphill battle.
With training camp set to open Sunday for the 2007-08 campaign, McCain is optimistic the Sea Dogs have got the right pieces in place to make their first playoff run.
"Our goal has always been to do a few things properly," McCain said.
First off, they wanted to get the right coaching staff in place. McCain feels the team can cross this one of the list since Jacques Beaulieu, head coach and general manager, took over.
"I think he's done an outstanding first-class job," McCain said. "It's obvious to all of the ownership that he's the guy who's going to get us to the next level."
The second part of their checklist was to be smart at the QMJHL entry draft and Canadian Hockey League import draft.
"This past draft, I thought was our best draft out of the three," McCain said. "Jacques had a game plan and he stuck to it. When the opportunity came up to draft (Steven) Anthony, it was sort of a last minute deal he put together and did a good job with."
The Sea Dogs, whom many expected to go for offence with the first overall pick, selected defenceman Simon Despres first overall. Nine picks later, the Quebec Remparts announced they'd traded the 10th pick to the Sea Dogs for a second -round pick (19th overall), third-round pick (43rd overall) and a first-round pick in 2008. Beaulieu wasted no time after the deal, selecting Anthony who, along with Despres, were two of the three highest-rated players in the draft.
The final check mark on the teams' list was to show improvement every year. They have done that posting five more wins last season (20) compared to their first year (15).
However, they still haven't played a post-season game.
McCain said the ownership group has never gone on record saying they had a goal of winning a certain number of games, but just wanted to improve with each season.
"We haven't made the playoffs in our first two years and I think we'd be disappointed if we didn't make it this year," McCain said. "I would like to think we're going to have a record this year that lets us make the playoffs."
Part of the reason for his optimism has to do with the players wearing the Sea Dogs logo this season. McCain said he's excited about 18-year-old netminder Robert Mayer, a Swiss goalie who was the Sea Dogs top choice in the 2007 import draft.
"He comes in here highly rated and goaltending is something that can help the organization dramatically," he said.
Another player he thinks will make strides this season is the Sea Dogs first-ever draft pick Alex Grant. Coming into his third season in the league, Grant seems poised to have a break out year, McCain said.
"I'm anxious to see how (Chris) Di Domenico responds and takes his game to another level this season," McCain said. "And other guys I'm excited to watch are (Simon) Despres and Anthony as they adjust to playing in this league."
Grant became the Sea Dogs first NHL draft pick at the 2007 draft when he was selected in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Di Domenico followed suit, when he was plucked in the sixth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As for the fans who fill the seats in Harbour Station, McCain said they've been patient and they deserve a good hockey team because Saint John is a good hockey city.
"Like all fans, they expect the team to deliver and our job as an organization is to produce a team with winning results and I think we're on that path," he said.
The Sea Dogs ranked sixth in the QMJHL last season with an average attendance of 3,839. The league average is 3,602. Out of the three New Brunswick teams, Saint John is second to Moncton, which averaged 4,747 fans per game. The Acadie-Bathurst Titan averaged 2,304 fans per game last season.
QMJHL: Scott McCain feels the Sea Dogs have built a good foundation for success this season
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday August 16th, 2007
Appeared on page B14
SAINT JOHN - When the Saint John Sea Dogs began their inaugural season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League three years ago, majority owner Scott McCain knew the team was in for an uphill battle.
With training camp set to open Sunday for the 2007-08 campaign, McCain is optimistic the Sea Dogs have got the right pieces in place to make their first playoff run.
"Our goal has always been to do a few things properly," McCain said.
First off, they wanted to get the right coaching staff in place. McCain feels the team can cross this one of the list since Jacques Beaulieu, head coach and general manager, took over.
"I think he's done an outstanding first-class job," McCain said. "It's obvious to all of the ownership that he's the guy who's going to get us to the next level."
The second part of their checklist was to be smart at the QMJHL entry draft and Canadian Hockey League import draft.
"This past draft, I thought was our best draft out of the three," McCain said. "Jacques had a game plan and he stuck to it. When the opportunity came up to draft (Steven) Anthony, it was sort of a last minute deal he put together and did a good job with."
The Sea Dogs, whom many expected to go for offence with the first overall pick, selected defenceman Simon Despres first overall. Nine picks later, the Quebec Remparts announced they'd traded the 10th pick to the Sea Dogs for a second -round pick (19th overall), third-round pick (43rd overall) and a first-round pick in 2008. Beaulieu wasted no time after the deal, selecting Anthony who, along with Despres, were two of the three highest-rated players in the draft.
The final check mark on the teams' list was to show improvement every year. They have done that posting five more wins last season (20) compared to their first year (15).
However, they still haven't played a post-season game.
McCain said the ownership group has never gone on record saying they had a goal of winning a certain number of games, but just wanted to improve with each season.
"We haven't made the playoffs in our first two years and I think we'd be disappointed if we didn't make it this year," McCain said. "I would like to think we're going to have a record this year that lets us make the playoffs."
Part of the reason for his optimism has to do with the players wearing the Sea Dogs logo this season. McCain said he's excited about 18-year-old netminder Robert Mayer, a Swiss goalie who was the Sea Dogs top choice in the 2007 import draft.
"He comes in here highly rated and goaltending is something that can help the organization dramatically," he said.
Another player he thinks will make strides this season is the Sea Dogs first-ever draft pick Alex Grant. Coming into his third season in the league, Grant seems poised to have a break out year, McCain said.
"I'm anxious to see how (Chris) Di Domenico responds and takes his game to another level this season," McCain said. "And other guys I'm excited to watch are (Simon) Despres and Anthony as they adjust to playing in this league."
Grant became the Sea Dogs first NHL draft pick at the 2007 draft when he was selected in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Di Domenico followed suit, when he was plucked in the sixth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As for the fans who fill the seats in Harbour Station, McCain said they've been patient and they deserve a good hockey team because Saint John is a good hockey city.
"Like all fans, they expect the team to deliver and our job as an organization is to produce a team with winning results and I think we're on that path," he said.
The Sea Dogs ranked sixth in the QMJHL last season with an average attendance of 3,839. The league average is 3,602. Out of the three New Brunswick teams, Saint John is second to Moncton, which averaged 4,747 fans per game. The Acadie-Bathurst Titan averaged 2,304 fans per game last season.
