Halifax Mooseheads, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles play season openers
After a month of training camp and exhibition games, the regular season has finally arrived as both teams open their seasons on the road.
The Screaming Eagles will open the season in Bathurst against the Titans and then travel to P.E.I. to play the Islanders tomorrow night.
"I think we really have a great squad," said Dumont. "We have a really great team spirit and we did some great team-building in August. Our group is united and our group is focused on succeeding, there's no doubt about that."
Russians 'work ethic addicts'
Evgeny Svechnikov had an outstanding rookie season last year when he scored 32 goals and had 78 points in just 55 games.
Maxim Lazarev also put up big numbers with 36 goals and 80 points in his second season with the Screaming Eagles.
The two Russians are among five Cape Breton players who are currently away at NHL training camps. Svetchnikov is with the Detroit Red Wings while Lazarev is with the Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Black Hawks.
"Those guys are work ethic addicts. We have to pull them off the ice and turn out the lights in the gym to get them to leave. They had great numbers last year and that was the result of their hard work and dedication."
Mooseheads counting on younger players
One player who won't be in the Cape Breton lineup this season is Halifax native Shane Bowers. He was the Screaming Eagles top draft pick in the spring but decided to play at a U.S. prep school this season.
The Danish speedster was one of the top junior players in the country last season when he scored 101 points in only 51 games. Many hockey analysts are already suggesting Ehlers will play a key role with the NHL's Winnipeg Jets this season.
"You just can't replace guys like that," said Russell. "So everybody else has to pick up a little bit of slack here and there and every year one or two players kind of jump out and surprise you."
The Mooseheads biggest strength should be their goaltending with veterans Eric Brassard and Kevin Resop.
Teams still without full rosters
Wins, along with goals, could be hard to come by for Halifax this season.
With the season starting tonight all teams in the Q league want to get off to a fast start. But for some teams, it could be tough.
But Sea Dogs general manager Darrell Young will have to do a lot of lineup juggling. Nine of his players are at NHL camps and it will be quite a while before the team gets all of their key players back in junior.
