Saint John fans may feel snubbed, but Shawinigan is a strong choice for the MasterCard Memorial Cup.
Fans of the Windsor Spitfires can empathize with those of the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Like the Spitfires' faithful a year ago, Sea Dogs fans were stunned to discover their team would not be chosen as host for a MasterCard Memorial Cup. The Shawinigan Cataractes were named the host of the 2012 tournament on Thursday, less than two months before this year's tournament is about to take place in Mississauga, Ont.
Although four teams placed bids to host the tournament -- the other two being the Halifax Mooseheads and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles -- this was essentially a two-horse race, much like it was a year ago when the Barrie Colts and Kingston Frontenacs also threw their hats in the ring.
Similarly, consensus was that the Sea Dogs, brimming with talent and a top-notch infrastructure, were the front runner. The Spitfires and the city of Windsor also appeared as the odds-on favourite last year.
From purely a hockey standpoint, the Saint John bid appeared to be a slam dunk. After coming within two games of winning the league title a year ago, the Sea Dogs coasted through the regular season with a league record-tying 58 wins. But what made the bid so appealing was that the core of this team is still so very young and almost certainly coming back.
It may be hard to find a silver lining since the Sea Dogs will now need to win to get in. Although the reasons behind the decision are held as tightly-guarded secrets, few would argue last year's surprising outcome was wrong in hindsight.
The Spitfires squeaked through the opening round of the playoffs and are in tough against the Saginaw Spirit in the second round, while the Majors are looking like the championship contender expected of the tournament host team.
The Cataractes, meanwhile, are worthy winners for next year's tournament. In addition to being one of the league's original members -- one that is still seeking its first league championship -- Shawinigan is appealing as a host city for numerous reasons.
The Cataractes' home facility, the Centre Bionest, is one of the nicest new facilities in the league. The city is smaller in size than Saint John, but boasts many of the small, intricate details that made the Rimouski tournament so successful in 2009.
This is a city with passionate fans, a beautiful rink and a community that embodies the type of grass roots elements that are symbolic of the junior game.
No matter how you look at it, Sea Dogs fans will feel like their team got the short end of the stick, just as Spitfires fans did a year ago. There's no doubt in this reporter's mind, however, that the Cataractes are worthy winners.
Drakkar coast into first
Steve Ahern is finding out who his friends are these days.
The general manager of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar had his phone ringing off the hook Thursday afternoon after the Québec Major Junior Hockey League's other major announcement took place. The Drakkar, who finished with the second-worst record and missed the playoffs, won the draft lottery and now hold the first-overall pick.
"Fifteen minutes after the draw, I have a lot of friends," Ahern told sportsnet.ca. "Everybody want to help me."
By that, of course, Ahern means every other team wants to acquire the pick that will land the franchise player, Nathan MacKinnon. No QMJHL prospect has received more hype prior to his first season since Sidney Crosby's introduction with the Rimouski Océanic in 2003.
This is a franchise-changing decision for Ahern's Drakkar. His team is often rumoured as a relocation possibility due to its small community and recent on-ice struggles. MacKinnon is the type of player that will draw fans in every rink, but recruiting him to one of the least desirable destinations will be difficult.
The Océanic, Crosby's former team on the southern side of the St. Lawrence River, is one of many teams interested in acquiring the pick. Rimouski loaded up with four first-round picks in this year's draft, hoping those picks can be exchanged for the top pick.
As of right now, Ahern intends on drafting MacKinnon in spite of the uphill battle in recruiting the top prospect.
"We spoke with my owner (Wednesday) and for sure we (will) draft Nathan MacKinnon," Ahern said. "Nathan is probably the best player in Canada and I think he's a very impressive player. For sure, for now, we draft Nathan MacKinnon."
When asked pointedly if he would ever trade the pick, Ahern only went so far as to say he wouldn't trade it right now. Watch for this soap opera to continue all the way up to June's draft in Victoriaville, Que.
While it was jubilation for the Drakkar, the same could not be said for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The Huskies had the league's worst record and thus the best shot at obtaining the pick.
Head coach and general manager André Tourigny was understandably disappointed his team's logo didn't come up in the lottery, but he's setting a good example for his players.
"That's the rule in our league and that's something we can't control," he said. "It's something I preach every day to not focus on what you can't control, so I have to do what I preach. It is what it is."
Tourigny remains confident his team will land a "top gun" at No. 2.
"No doubt, Nathan MacKinnon is something we dream about," he said. "We still have the second pick overall. It's pretty good and we're lucky because it's a pretty good draft in the Q so we'll get a very good player."
As for the MacKinnon sweepstakes, Tourigny believes it will be an "outstanding derby" with the pick likely on the move.
"He'll be an ambassador and a great hockey player for our league and he will play in the Q for sure," he said. "I'm sure Baie-Comeau will get a lot for him and good for them."
