WORD ON THE HERD – MARCH 16TH
- The Halifax Mooseheads have finished up the regular season home schedule and boy what a way to finish it off with that exciting overtime game against Charlottetown. Unfortunately it ended in defeat but there’s no question that was one of the most thrilling games to attend this season. The 10,595 Moose fans in the stands showed incredible vocal support and we all witnessed a special moment when graduating player Kelly Bent scored a highlight reel goal in the final home game of his career and in his hometown no less. We also got to watch Eric Brassard at his best in the game. Despite allowing three goals, he made 40 saves and showed off his outstanding skills especially in the early going when he posterized Daniel Sprong with an awesome glove save.
- What’s next for the three graduating players?
Defenceman Zack Taylor has committed to the Dalhousie Tigers for next season where he’ll join fellow former Mooseheads Phil Gadoury, Jesse Lussier, Brendan Duke and Alex Cote. Brassard and Bent are both leaving their options open but would like to attend a university in Halifax where they can continue to play hockey, although it wouldn’t be shocking to see Brassard get a professional try-out somewhere.
- Let’s continue the Eric Brassard discussion. Here’s a guy that came to Halifax in an unenviable position really. He was looked at by many as the throw-in/gap-filler goalie to the deal that saw Zach Fucale, one of the most popular players in Mooseheads history, traded to the Quebec Remparts. Talk about pressure coming in and having to fill those shoes and face fans that just watched a favourite leave their team. In the end I think Halifax won that trade. Brassard was everything and more that we could have asked during his tenure in Nova Scotia. 60 saves against Shawingan in a double overtime thriller at the Forum? Yup we’ll take that, not to mention the first round upset of the fifth overall Cataractes. The deal involved several draft picks coming to Halifax too, including a first rounder in this June’s draft and another in 2018. Fucale and the Remparts did not win the Memorial Cup on home ice and now he’s in the AHL. This move by General Manager Cam Russell was split in terms of popularity with fans at the time but is one that will help the Mooseheads once again become a force in the QMJHL. Kudos to Brassard for coming here and showing that he truly was one of the best veteran netminders in the league. I’m actually very surprised some of the contending teams like Moncton or Cape Breton didn’t try harder to land him at the 2016 trade deadline because I think he could have really helped them to succeed in the postseason.
- The support from Moose Country continued to impress me this season. I realize that not all fans are as die-hard as I’d like to think and maybe some don’t understand the reasons and necessity of a rebuild in junior hockey but to average 6,900 fans per game when you finish out of the playoffs is pretty special I think. That was by far the second best average attendance in the QMJHL and actually more than when Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Zach Fucale played their rookie seasons in Halifax in 2011-2012. Way to go Mooseheads fans. That proves your loyalty and love for the game and we will continue to provide an exciting product for you to support. The future is bright.
- Stay tuned to social media and HalifaxMooseheads.ca for information coming soon on the Annual Fan Farewell which will be held next week. It’s always a great chance to come out and chat with the players one final time before they go their separate ways. I know the guys all appreciate getting the opportunity to say thank you for your generous support.
Above: Captain Taylor Ford, Otto Somppi & Anthony Sorrentino with the Halifax Hawks
- A few Mooseheads players made their final minor hockey visit of the season on Tuesday night at Centennial Arena in Fairview when Otto Somppi, Anthony Sorrentino and Captain Taylor Ford surprised the Halifax Hawks during the Atom AA practice. These visits have been extremely rewarding for the Mooseheads players who have thoroughly enjoyed their experiences with the game at its grass roots level this year.
- Lots of familiar faces have landed at Scotiabank Centre this week as part of the CIS University Cup. The host Saint Mary’s Huskies have a handful of former Mooseheads on their roster including Gerrad Grant, Steve Gillard, Austyn Hardie and Stephen MacAulay. The AUS Champion St. FX X-Men lineup features Trey Lewis and Brad Cuzner. Cameron Critchlow and Randy Gazzola suit up for the UNB Varsity Reds. The reigning CIS Champion Alberta Golden Bears have Marc-Olivier Daigle between the pipes and Peter Delmas plays goal with the Western Mustangs. Welcome home guys.
