SEA DOGS ADD NEW FORWARD TO ROSTER

[dogcatcher]

SEA DOGS ADD NEW FORWARD TO ROSTER

SAINT JOHN, August 3, 2007 – The Saint John Sea Dogs have acquired right wing Francis Guérette-Charland from the Victoriaville Tigres in exchange for a 6th round draft pick in 2009.

The 20-year-old native of Victoriaville, QC, was selected by the Tigres in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2003 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) entry draft.

Guérette-Charland, six-foot-one and 197 pounds, has played his entire QMJHL career in Victoriaville. He recorded 124 points (60-64-124) and 138 penalty minutes in 197 regular season games with the Tigres. In 12 playoff games, Guérette-Charland scored three times and earned six assists.

His younger brother Keven is a left wing with the Sea Dogs.

"Francis is a versatile player that brings a lot to the table in terms of veteran leadership and character,” said Jacques Beaulieu, general manager and head coach of the Sea Dogs. “He was injured for much of last year. We see him being a key part of our offence.”

The Sea Dogs open their 2007-2008 regular season on September 13 when they visit the Presidents Cup champions, Lewiston MAINEiacs. Saint John’s home opener is Friday, September 21, when they entertain the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

[bjindaho]

What kind of output do people think he is capable of?

[Gallant-Unit(14-0-3)]

70 points? Im not sure though I dont know to much about him.

[major]

I think with the right line mates he could put up 65-80 this season...... just a guess .

[bjindaho]

Is he a goal-scorer? A playmaker? A bit of both? Can he adapt to the situation or does the situation have adapt to him (i.e. Dido scoring more when needed, and passing more when needed)? How many goals could he pop with say his brother and Sparling?

[markofthebeast]

Cheep pick up! Nice move by the dogs.

[Porkchop]

bjindaho said:

Is he a goal-scorer? A playmaker? A bit of both? Can he adapt to the situation or does the situation have adapt to him (i.e. Dido scoring more when needed, and passing more when needed)? How many goals could he pop with say his brother and Sparling?

He seems to be more of a goal scorer than a playmaker......he has always had more goals than assists or close to it........the problem is that he has never played a full season.......with a 70 game schedule, IMO, he is capable of scoring 40.

[Judas In My Mind]

I am going with the assumption that he will be on our top line and getting lots of ice time and powerplay time, so it's safest to say Francis Charland should be expected to average about a point per game. Giving a point total is...pointless. He's never shown that he can play a full schedule without getting hurt and if he does end up logging a lot of ice-time with us, that is more risk of injury for him.

I'm thinking (if we keep him all year) he plays about 50 games and gets about 45-50 points. Not bad considering only Sparling and Dido had 50+ points for our team last year. If we can get 50 from F. Charland and Jordan Knox we're ahead of the game right there. Plus with how they played in the second half last year, K. Charland, Gauthier and Leduc might have a shot at 50 points also.

[dogbert]

If you look at their rates of scoring while with the Sea Dogs, this year's projections look very promissing.

06-07 pp70g:
Didiodato 75
K. Charland 58
Guathier 57
Sparling 53
Liske 47
Leduc 41

Add Knox, F. Charland, Stoddard, Kirkpatrick, Anthony, Langan¿ all capable of 50+ points given the opportunity, and we are looking at some serious scoring depth.

I'd be surprised to see any more than two or three approach a ppg given JB's defensive style and willingness to rotate the lines.

[Captain Obvious]

dogbert said:

If you look at their rates of scoring while with the Sea Dogs, this year's projections look very promissing.

06-07 pp70g:
Didiodato 75
K. Charland 58
Guathier 57
Sparling 53
Liske 47
Leduc 41

Add Knox, F. Charland, Stoddard, Kirkpatrick, Anthony, Langan¿ all capable of 50+ points given the opportunity, and we are looking at some serious scoring depth.

I'd be surprised to see any more than two or three approach a ppg given JB's defensive style and willingness to rotate the lines.

I'm not sure if they keep Langan, he's a bit light right now...he'll be a very good centerman at 18 but he may need a year Jr.A and time to fill out.

[Judas In My Mind]

I agree about Langan. I believe he doesn't make the team to start the year but after the Xmas trade period I would not be surprised to see him on the team. Also agree that our offense has the potential to be considerably better this year. Maybe not in line with those projections, but better none the less. Thing is it has a lot of improving to do to hang in there in the battle for 5th-6th-7th in the standings. All else remaining equal from last year, we have to win 10 more games just to sneak into the playoffs.

[killer]

billy said:

dogbert said:

If you look at their rates of scoring while with the Sea Dogs, this year's projections look very promissing.

06-07 pp70g:
Didiodato 75
K. Charland 58
Guathier 57
Sparling 53
Liske 47
Leduc 41

Add Knox, F. Charland, Stoddard, Kirkpatrick, Anthony, Langan¿ all capable of 50+ points given the opportunity, and we are looking at some serious scoring depth.

I'd be surprised to see any more than two or three approach a ppg given JB's defensive style and willingness to rotate the lines.

I'm not sure if they keep Langan, he's a bit light right now...he'll be a very good centerman at 18 but he may need a year Jr.A and time to fill out.

I agree about Langan here, there is no real rush to have him in the lineup with not many open roster spots. I would give him a year to mature more

[dogbert]

I don't disagree about Langan. He can step in and score 50 now for a joke, but I don't see him standing up physically or defensively. But that's been said all through his development.

I am not too concerned about our scoring. There's lots of competition for the top two lines and that's a good thing. It would be nice to have a proven 100p guy, but c'est la vie. My big concern is defense from the forwards, particularly the center position. Dido, Stoddard, Sparling, Ledic, and Anthony are pretty offensive minded. I like having a couple of defensive oriented centers that can win faceoffs and battles in our corners.

[chillywack]

dogbert said:

I don't disagree about Langan. He can step in and score 50 now for a joke, but I don't see him standing up physically or defensively. But that's been said all through his development.

I gotta disagree with you n that one. There is no way Langan could come in and score 50 points, he's at best a fourth liner, and they don't get all that much ice time. So, if you believe what your saying about him scoring 50 points, he would have to have one of his best training camps ever, and be put into the 2nd or 3rd line, but I don't see that happening.

He needs to bulk up more, and I think it would be more beneficial to him if he had a year in Junior A where he would be getting constant ice time, instead of the Q where he would be a fourth liner and not play every game.

[berner]

Agreed chillywack, to state Langan could walk in to the Q and score 50 pts for a joke is an exageration to say the least.

Must just be a little bit of over-enthusiasm, and while the statement is wrong I like the attitude this year's Dogs are bringing out in the fans.