Sea Dogs get toughness and skill from trades
Jason Bell and Bokondji Imama were teammates in peewee and bantam hockey in Montreal. They’ve been reunited in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs.
“He was a really tough player and a great teammate,” Bell said of Imama. “I remember him at 13 years old and he was bigger than everyone. That hasn’t changed. He’s in great condition.”
No doubt about that. Imama is a strapping 6-1, 213-pound power forward.
And aside from his physical prowess, he’s also capable of contributing offensively. Imama had one goal and four assists in his first six games with the Sea Dogs.
“It’s really fun to play with him,” Bell said, who’s also gone up against Imama. “You try not to be intimidated, but he’s just a big kid.”
Bell, a skilled defenceman, also has good size (6-2, 190 pounds), but his main assets are moving the puck, making plays and shooting the puck. He had three goals and three helpers in his first six contests as a Sea Dog.
“We have a great bunch of guys,” Bell said. “It’s really fun to play here. It’s a great organization and we have a great coaching staff. I’m very happy to be here.”
Both players came to Saint John in separate January trades. Imama came over from Baie-Comeau for two draft picks (second-rounder in 2015 and a first-rounder in 2016), while Bell arrived from Cape Breton for 18-year-old defenceman Olivier LeBlanc and forward prospect Declan Smith. The Sea Dogs also received a 2015 first-round pick that Cape Breton had earlier acquired from Drummondville.
By acquiring Imama, the Sea Dogs got tougher up front. In Bell, the club has a 17-year-old capable of quarterbacking the power play.
“Imama is finding his spot,” Saint John general manager Darrell Young said. “I think he’ll help our hockey club in terms of having more confidence down the stretch. Anytime you move to a new team, it’s a 10-game adjustment. It will take him a few games to find his footing, but he’s getting there.
“Bell can move the puck out of our zone and he’s very good on the offensive blueline,” the GM added. “He can create offence and we’ve seen that with the goals he’s scored so far. Jason knows where he has to improve to be a pro and he’s committed to doing that.”
Imama, 18, brings valuable playoff experience, having helped Baie-Comeau to last year’s QMJHL final. His efforts led to an invitation to the Montreal Canadiens’ prospect camp.
“I really learned about the way you have to be ready game after game, and the way you have to be hungry to win every game,” Imama said about last year’s playoff run. “It’s not easy and you have to do it as a team. The games were (played at a) high intensity level.”
That post-season experience enhanced Imama’s value.
“He’s played on a team that’s been one of the best in the league for the last couple of years,” Young said. “Bokondji has learned a lot about winning and he understands what it takes to win, and that’s going to help our dressing room.”
While the Sea Dogs have struggled in the early going of the second half, Imama is hoping for another good playoff run.
“I’m getting used to the city, the new team and the new coaching staff,” he said. “It’s getting better and better. We’re a young team, but we’re still a good team. I’m really pleased with the team we have.”
