Season Previews 2012-2013 - Saint John Sea Dogs

Saint John Sea Dogs

2011-2012 Record - 68G-50W-15L-3OT-103P

Cooper-Macaulay-Tesink

Izacky-Anderson-Kelly

Highmore-Cameron-OliverDares

Brown-Morrison-Donaghey

Cuomo/Campbell

Gagné-Weckworth

Durepos-Repe

Hade-Leblanc

Mosher

Auger

Michals

AS

Top 5 Scorers 2011-2012

Gauthier 66G-47g-39a-86p

Phillips 60G-30g-50a-80p

Huberdeau 37G-30g-42a-72p

Jurco 48G-30g-38a-68p

Beaulieu 53G-11g-41a-52p

Euros - Jakub Izacky and Jurij Repe

Overagers - Kevin Gagné, Pierre Durepos and Steven MacAulay

Additions - Jakub Izacky, David Weckworth and Jurij Repe

Losses - Danick Gauthier, Zack Phillips, Jonathan Huberdeau (95% chance), Tomas Jurco, Nathan Bealieu,  Charles-Olivier Roussel, Charlie Coyle, Mathieu Corbeil and Stanislav Galiev 

The defending QMJHL champions Saint John Sea Dogs are primed to rebuild this year, after 3 straight years of leading the league in points. The Sea Dogs are projected to lose all of their top 5 scorers and 8 players drafted in the top 4 round of the NHL draft, which effectively kills any chance of defending their 3 straight regular season champion titles. One thing the Seas Dogs have not lost is their winning character which will help them compete with arguably the weakest roster on paper in the QMJHL.

The Sea Dogs didn't make many moves this off-season, simply adding 19 year old defenseman David Weckworth from Gatineau for a 2013 pick, and having a strong draft where they restocked the system with 2 first round picks. They then replaced their former standout Euros Stanislav Galiev and Tomas Jurco at the import draft with Jakub Izacky and Jurij Repe.

Here is what Coach Mike Kelly had to say about Repe:

"Repe was recruited to play last season in Czech Republic in order to face stiffer competition.. A young player, he possesses a lot of strength while being very mobile. He's an efficient puck mover who is looking to add to his game by coming to North America."

And Izacky:

"Izacky is a dynamic skater who is able to create offence with his speed. He has a tremendous work ethic and is looking forward for an opportunity to prove himself in North America."

Though certainly not marquee imports, they add talent to a roster starving for it.

The forward position is a question mark heading into this year, bringing back a handful of solid QMJHL top 6 forwards such as Ryan Tesink, Stephen MacAulay and Oliver Cooper. They will be backed up by a lot of youth including this springs 8th overall pick Matthew Highmore. The Sea Dogs lack what you would call a top line forward so expect scoring to be at a premium in Harbour station next year.

On defence, the Sea Dogs will be seriously helped by the two returning overagers, Pierre Durepos and Kevin Gagné. Both were top-4 in last years squad, and will provide a steadying influence on the back end. David Weckworth and Jurij Repe round out the teams strong point, their top four defencemen. A recurring theme, there will be youth with the other 3 defensemen with 2012 1st round pick Olivier Leblanc likely earning a bottom pairing and 2nd powerplay spot.

In nets, the Sea Dogs bring back Sébastian Auger, their back up from last year who gained valuable experience playing 22 games. In those games he went 14-2-2 with a 2.65 GAA and .897 SV%. Auger is expected to start for the Sea Dogs this year, and be backed up by 17 year old Drew Michals.

The Sea Dogs have simply lost too much talent to compete in their division, and will have troubles keeping up with teams like Acadie-Bathurst, Halifax and Moncton offensively. Expect them to duke it out with PEI, Drumondville and Shawinigan for the final few playoff spots.

Burning question - Will the Sea Dogs have the biggest regular season point differential in the CHL this year?

Prediction - 6th in Maritimes division, 16th in QMJHL