Around the QMJHL this week – Sept. 29th
We are a week into the QMJHL season and there’s plenty of intriguing storylines already. A player who could be considered an “X-Factor” will be giving goalies nightmares again this year as defending league scoring champion Vitalii Abramov was returned to the Gatineau Olympiques from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Abramov torched opponents for 104 points last season after putting up 93 points as a rookie in 2015-16. Imagine what he will produce as a 19-year-old this year.
Abramov confirme son retour à Gatineau, rapporte @MLalancetteTVA : https://t.co/8RmIZBiAB9 #LHJMQ pic.twitter.com/fTLHHzP9e6
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) September 28, 2017
The Columbus Blue Jackets have a lot of power in terms of impact on the QMJHL this season. How far the dangerous Blainville-Boisbriand Armada will go largely depends on whether the Blue Jackets decide to keep 2016 3rd overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois or send him back. The former Screaming Eagles star had 78 points in a combined 48 regular season games between Cape Breton and Blainville. The 19-year-old is stating his case to be included in the opening night roster in the NHL.
Since moving to the wing, Pierre-Luc Dubois has been a man on a mission. #CBJ https://t.co/NskN7IP9sj
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 27, 2017
If Mooseheads fans ever though there was a chance they’d see Nico Hischier on the ice in Halifax again, they might want to think again. Nico has been lighting it up in the pre-season for the Devils and I think there would be a riot in New Jersey if the hockey staff decides he isn’t ready for prime time. Hischier has been garnering a lot of attention and even his old Mooseheads billets got some TV time this week. Check it out below:
The top overall pick has been sharp so far, racking up four goals in four preseason games! https://t.co/5ymArDuN9B
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 29, 2017
The Saint John Sea Dogs have been looking to fill holes on their roster as they face the down slope of a team coming off a championship run. On Friday they picked up an Ontario free agent. He is a former 11th overall pick in the OHL Priority Draft but never really panned out between Oshawa and Kingston.
Sea Dogs sign F Robbie Burt
Details > https://t.co/BgnwDPKf2c pic.twitter.com/FMq7dJINaf
— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) September 29, 2017
The QMJHL announced details for the latest Winter Classic outdoor games to be played in February. Drummondville will host both Sherbrooke and Victoriaville on February 9th and 10th. This isn’t something that is done every year in the league but it was a huge success in Shawinigan in 2015. I’m just thinking out loud but how cool would it be for the Mooseheads to do this on the all-weather field next to the new practice facility at the Dartmouth 4-Pad? It could be incredible, but of course Maritime weather isn’t the easiest to predict at that time of year either.
The QMJHL is preparing for its Winter Classic https://t.co/rIVfOqitaY
— RDS in English (@RDSinEnglish) September 29, 2017
Someone familiar to Moose fans that has played in an outdoor game (toque and all) was involved in some Montreal Canadiens news this week.
The #Canadiens have recalled goaltender Zach Fucale.https://t.co/ZKeSaIuHIw pic.twitter.com/vfhwav1KU4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 26, 2017
Since we’re being all nostalgic around here right now…I thought I’d share this tweet from Friday morning.
@Fucale31 saw this at the @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/NsVVFVytCy
— derek (@derek82) September 29, 2017
Bedford’s own Luke Green has himself a contract with the Winnipeg Jets. The former Sea Dogs defenceman and current member of the Sherbrooke Phoenix went in the third round to the Jets in 2016.
What a feeling signing my first NHL contract with the @NHLJets! Big thanks to everyone who has helped me get to this point. #GoJetsGo ✈️
— Luke Green (@GreenLuke55) September 26, 2017
Much like Scotiabank Centre last year, Centre 200 in Cape Breton got a little lighting facelift. Trust me, the photographers love it not to mention that when the lights need to go off for a few moments the staff doesn’t need to keep their fingers crossed that all the lights will come back on anymore!
New LED lighting at Centre 200. Our games will look infinitely better now! Nice work! pic.twitter.com/3NK6AQpYLJ
— Kris Abbott (@EastlinkKris) September 28, 2017
That’s it for around the QMJHL this week but check back every Friday for the latest news and notes. If you’re looking for some fun over the next couple of day remember it’s home opening weekend in Halifax! Your Mooseheads host Acadie-Bathurst Saturday night at 7pm but you’ll want to be in your seats no later than 6:45 to catch the full excitement of the pre-game show that will be sure to get your emotions going for what we hope is a great year in Moose Country. The Herd also welcome Charlottetown Sunday at 3pm and there will be free posters for the first 3,000 fans in the building.
Individual tickets are on sale at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office, select Superstore Outlets, the Mooseheads Shop in Scotia Square, www.TicketAtlantic.com or charge by phone 451-1221.
Get your 2017-18 Season Tickets, 15-Game Packs and 6-Game Packs by visiting the Official Mooseheads Shop in Scotia Square Mall, by email [email protected], or call 902-429-FANS.
