QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs Select Trio Of Saint John-Area Players At 2008 Entry Draft

Published on June 7, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SYDNEY, NS --- The Saint John Sea Dogs made ten selections at the 2008 QMJHL Entry Draft earlier today, a sum which included three players from south western New Brunswick - Rothesay Netherwood's Kevin Gagne and Nathan Beaulieu and Nicholas Spear of the Saint John Vito's.

The Sea Dogs also selected Cole Harbour's Stephen MacAulay (52nd overall), Kyle Dilosa of Cape Breton West (82nd overall), Nicolas Larocque-Marcoux of Outaouais (161st overall), Lévis' Vincent Fournier (174th overall), Chris Kreider of Phillips Andover Academy (179th overall), Raphaël Girard of Antoine-Girouard College (197th overall), and Stephen Walker, a team mate of MacAulay's, with the 214th overall pick.

"We're very pleased with the crop of players we were able to acquire today," said Sea Dogs Head Coach/General Manager Jacques Beaulieu at the conclusion of the day's proceedings.

With their first selection in the draft, Saint John picked Rothesay Netherwood Riverhawks defenseman Kevin Gagne, 16, in the second round (32nd overall). The 5'7", 143 lb. blue-liner was widely regarded as the best skater in this year's draft, and Beaulieu believes he was an absolute steal in the second round.

"Kevin is a highly-skilled defenseman that we felt had first-round caliber talent," said Saint John's bench boss after selecting the Edmundston, NB native in round number two. "He has great speed, good hands, and is an exceptional play maker."

In the third round, Saint John picked forward Stephen MacAulay from Cole Harbour (NSMAAA) with the 52nd overall selection prior to drafting 15-year old rearguard Nathan Beaulieu, Jacques' son, in round number four (69th overall).

MacAulay tallied 7G-15A-22P in 34GP with the McCain Major Midgets last season prior to scoring eight goals and dishing out six assists for 14 points in as many games during the playoffs, leading his team to a provincial championship.

Beaulieu skated in 33 games for Saint John last season, finishing the 07-08 campaign with 1G-14A-15P in addition to 45PIM. The 5'11", 160 lb. defenseman also skated in four playoff contests for the Vito's, registering 1G-2A-3P to lead all Saint John blue-liners in post-season scoring.

In the fifth round, the Sea Dogs drew a round of applause from the Centre 200 crowd when they drafted Cape Breton West product Kyle Dilosa, a physical winger, with the 82nd overall selection. Dilosa led the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League in penalty minutes in 2007-08, tallying 138PIM in only 24 games.

Saint John's next selection came in the eighth round, and saw the Sea Dogs drafting another Vito's player - goaltender Nicholas Spear. Spear enjoyed a standout rookie season in the NB/PEI Major Midget Hockey League in 2007-08, registering a G.A.A. of 1.76 and a SV% of .934 in 1089 minutes of action. After finishing with a record of 15-3, the 5'11", 150lb. net minder earned the league's Most Valuable Player Award and was named a First-Team All-Star.

In round number nine, the Sea Dogs chose 5'10" winger Nicolas Larocque-Marcoux from Outaouais with the 161st overall pick. The following round, Saint John made a pair of picks, taking defenseman Vincent Fournier (Lévis) and forward Chris Kreider (Phillips Andover Academy) with the 174th and 179th overall selections.

The Sea Dogs drafted their second goalie of the day in round 11, taking 17-year old Raphaël Girard (Antoine-Girouard College) with the 197th overall selection. With their final pick of the day, Saint John chose Cole Harbour forward Stephen Walker. Walker, 17, tallied 8G-11A-19P with Nova Scotia's top Major Midget team last season.

In total, Saint John picked up two goaltenders, three defensemen, and five forwards on the day.

"We had a strong game plan entering the draft today and we definitely feel that we executed that plan effectively and have acquired some very talented players as a result," said Saint John's Head Scout Norm Gosselin.

Season Tickets to the Sea Dogs' 2008-09 campaign are on sale now. Information on full season and flex ticket packages can be obtained by calling 632-8159.

Check out the Saint John Sea Dogs Statistics

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from June 7, 2008


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