Squirrels, Dogs, Sea Dogs and other such Cougarbaits

The NHL.com has two new full profile articles about Q players, one about former Moosehead (+Moncton, ++Val D'Or) and Boston Bruins prospect Brad Marchand, the other about Fog Devils defenceman TJ Brennan. They remembered to mention that Brad is too daft to listen to his coaches sometimes. For example:

"Ted Nolan coached him with Moncton of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and reportedly used a few disciplinary benchings to get through to Marchand"

"Brent Sutter benched him a few times in the 2007 World Juniors"

"...coach Cam Russell benched him for the final playoff game, a loss"

...but they forgot to mention that he, like a dog, perspires via panting. That is the only explanation I can come up with for why his tongue is always hanging out of his mouth.

A profile on Rangers prospects does not mention former Moosehead winger Ryan Hillier but does feature former PEI netminder Antoine Lafleur and 2008 draft pick Chris Doyle. There is also a Flyers profile on everybody's favorite squirrel Claude Giroux (Gatineau), Lewy/Quebec defenceman Kevin Marshall, Marc-Andre Bourdon (Huskies) and former Mooseheads goaltender Jeremy Duchesne:

"The Flyers' fourth-round pick in 2005 (No. 119) started his professional career with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL last season, where he went 13-13-5 with a 2.97 GAA, 10th among the league's rookies, in 31 games.

He made two late appearances for the Phantoms, winning his only start.

At 6-foot and 201 pounds, Duchesne has good size but needs to work on his positioning and efficiency of movement. As one of the few goaltending prospects in the club's pipeline, he'll likely get a shot at winning a full-time spot in the AHL next season."

In current Q-news:
The Sea Dogs have traded 20 year old enforcer Brett Gallant to Lewiston for a draft pick in the 2009 draft. This solidifies the Sea Dogs 20 year old roster spots as Liske, Sparling and Gauthier (hot, hot, short but still totally hot... hot is a default state for my secret lovers - the Sea Dogs). You can read more about Brett's trade at the Telegraph Journal (for a Sea Dogs perspective) or at the Asylum (Lewiston Perspective). Don't cry Sea Dogs fans. You need experienced goal scorers not sweet and pleasant enforcers.

Speaking of Enforcers - the Q has handed down its recommendations on dealing with violence in the league. Fights are not banned. Whew.

Groulx has left the Gatineau Olympiques for the AHL. If cuddly squirrel Claude Giroux was leaving me behind I would get outta dodge too. Former assistant coach Mario Richter will be taking over.

The Wildcats have signed a giant - 6'8". I think I am in love. They had better not forget about my unrequited love Tyler Noseworthy. I want to see Noseworthy in a cats uniform this season. They have also signed on some other free agents for tryouts.

Huskies goaltender Mathieu Leclair will not be reporting to training camp. 18 year old Leclair was pretty much assured to be the Huskies starter this season but decided to concentrate on his studies instead.

Elsewhere in the Cougarbait Hockey League:
Someone needs to tell Stefan Legein that if he gives up the hockey it means he is giving up the hos. My sweet little cheshire cat can do whatever he wishes and whatever will make him happy but I'm just saying "Won't somebody please think of the puckbunnies?"

Flying with Kevin Marshall

Former Lewiston MAINEiacs defenceman Kevin Marshall has been signed to an entry level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was a member of the 2006-2007 President's cup winning Maineiacs team, and last season with the club netted 11 goals and had 24 assists in 66 regular season games. Kevin was traded to the Quebec Remparts this summer just prior to the QMJHL entry draft.

Following his stint at Flyers development camp he will be headed off to Ottawa to participate in summer training camp for Canada's 2009 IIHF under 20 team.

You can hear Kevin discuss becoming the newest member of the Flyers family in the "Flyers TV" video posted below, or read more about it at the Flyers homepage.

Quebec Remparts acquire Lavigne and Marshall

According to reports coming out of the Quebec press the Quebec Remparts have acquired defenseman Kevin Marshall from the Lewiston MAINEiacs and (soon to be) 20 year old netminder Charles Lavigne from the Moncton Wildcats.

I was wondering what would happen to Charles. Boo that he is in the West now. I loved his wandering all over the ice, helmet lifting and poke-checking ways. Charles knows what a girl likes - so many poke-checks. It is like he was putting on a show just for me - it wasn't always a great show, but I am eternally greatful to Charles for doing many of the things I want my goalies to do.

Within the next week Quebec are also expected to get their grubby hands on my sweet defenseman Guillaume Monast. I will not let them have him. Guillaume and I are currently sharing a bottle of wine while being 'up in a tree'. Patrick Roy will have to get a stair car or climb this tree to pry Guillaume from my small, stumpy-fingered, grabby hands.

Then after Roy snatches Guy from my drunken, warm, bosomy embrace and forces him to play for Quebec next year, all the people from Halifax will bitch and moan about how awesome Guy is and why couldn't he play like that for us and whaa whaa whaa. Then I will say "you should have appreciated a good thing while you had it dumb bitches".