Monday, July 3, 2017

Notebook: Memorial Cup coaches on the move

Danny Flynn is the last man standing.

With Seattle Thunderbirds head coach Steve Konowalchuk joining the Anaheim Ducks as an assistant, Flynn is the only remaining head coach from the 2017 Memorial Cup still in the CHL.

Over the past few weeks, Erie Otters head coach Kris Knoblauch has joined the Philadelphia Flyers as an assistant and Windsor Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson has taken over head coaching duties of the AHLs' Chicago Wolves.

The Sea Dogs coaching staff has had a departure though with assistant Paul Boutilier joining the AHL's Belleville Senators as an assistant.

Renewal rate

The Sea Dogs announced this past week that 97% of season tickets have been renewed for the 2017-18 season. It's the highest renewal rate prior to July 1 in team history.

“We are so pleased with our season ticket renewal rate,” said Ben Zayandehroudi, vice-president of ticket sales and marketing, in a press release.”The response to this year’s early renewal deadline has been tremendous. Season Ticket Members have provided positive feedback on our new, innovative programs as well.

“This puts us on track to increase our season ticket base from last season. We have the best fans in the Q!”

The Victoriaville newspaper La Nouvelle recently compared season ticket prices around the QMJHL. Rouyn-Noranda ain't cheap.

Mayer re-signs

Former Sea Dogs goaltender Robert Mayer has signed an extension with Swiss league team Genève-Servette HC through the 2020-21 season.

Mayer has spent the past three seasons with the National League A club. Last season he posted a 2.53 goals against average and a .926 save percentage in 49 games.

The 26-year-old spent two seasons with the Sea Dogs from 2007 to 2009, posting a 42-39 record to go along with a 3.41 GAA and .893 SV%.


D'Orio at Pens camp

The Sherbrooke newspaper La Tribune caught up with Sea Dogs goaltender Alex D'Orio after the NHL Draft.

D'Orio attended the draft in Chicago but was not selected. However, the netminder told the newspaper that the Pittsburgh Penguins were in contact with him regarding a camp invite before the draft was even over.

The 18-year-old has spent the past week at Penguins development camp.

A post shared by Alex D'Orio (@alexdor01) on


Ward article

The Sackville Tribune-Post had an article on Sea Dogs forward Kyle Ward forever ago.

On his hockey playing future:
“One more year of Major Junior hockey and then off to university in pursuit of a degree. If there are hockey options after that I would definitely explore them but my education must come first.”
Ward, who recorded six goals and eight assists in 57 games with Saint John last season, will turn 20 in December.

Pare article

Rogers TV's Craig Eagles had an article on Sea Dogs forward Cedric Pare last week.

“I never thought about getting drafted or not, I tried to focus on playing my game and improving. I tried to learn as much as I could from the older guys,” Pare, who was taken by the Boston Bruins in this year's NHL Draft, told Eagles.

Boutilier improved Chabot

The Ottawa Citizen reports that the Senators' hiring of Paul Boutilier had a lot to do with his work with the team's top prospect - Thomas Chabot.

“Paul pushed him a lot," Senators general manager Randy Lee said. "He prepped him to get him ready for the world juniors. Gave him a lot of minutes. Put him in tough situations, and (Chabot) responded. The way he played in the world juniors was outstanding.

“We thought so much of Paul’s work we hired him in Belleville.”

While it seems like Chabot is destined to stick with Ottawa this season, he could be reunited with Boutilier in AHL Belleville.

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