We are just four days away from one of the biggest moments in Halifax Mooseheads history. The 2016 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft will be underway in Charlottetown, PEI on June 4 and your Moose are drafting first overall. Many people think that any of the top 3 ranked players could go in the top pick and all three would be an asset to Halifax's team. So I ask you who do you think will get drafted 1st overall by our Herd on Saturday? Have your say below by voting on the poll, you have until Friday night.
Choices:
Benoit Groulx
Gabriel Fortier
Jared McIsaac
Olivier Rodrigue
CLOSED
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
4 Alumni Named to World Cup Rosters
A couple of former Halifax Mooseheads were named to World Cup of Hockey rosters today and will join two other alumni who were already given spots on participating teams.
Brad Marchand and Jonathan Drouin made rosters this evening after productive Men's World Championship and playoff stints respectively. Marchand, who won a gold medal earlier this month, was named to Team Canada. The 28 year old had his best professional season in 2015-16 but wasn't initially announced to the team back on March 2. A strong tournament at the World Championships probably helped the Halifax native's case to be included. Tampa Bay forward Drouin had a difficult regular season which was why he was left off the rosters announced in March but his play in the last month of the season and the playoffs secured him a spot on Team North America. The Sainte-Agathe, QC native had the lone goal in the Bolts Game 7 loss on Thursday night.
The World Cup of Hockey will be played in Toronto, Ontario from September 17 to October 1, 2016. It's organized by the National Hockey League and is the third installment, the other two being in 1996 and 2004. Eight teams, which include Canada, United States, Europe, Finland, Sweden, North America, Czech Republic and Russia. The North American team will be comprised of 23 and under players from the States and Canada.
Former Moose superstar Nathan MacKinnon was named back in March to Team North America while on the same day Jakub Voracek got included on the Czech Republic team.
Full rosters can be find here.
Congratulations to the four former Mooseheads and good luck to them in September during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey!
Photos - NHL.com
Brad Marchand and Jonathan Drouin made rosters this evening after productive Men's World Championship and playoff stints respectively. Marchand, who won a gold medal earlier this month, was named to Team Canada. The 28 year old had his best professional season in 2015-16 but wasn't initially announced to the team back on March 2. A strong tournament at the World Championships probably helped the Halifax native's case to be included. Tampa Bay forward Drouin had a difficult regular season which was why he was left off the rosters announced in March but his play in the last month of the season and the playoffs secured him a spot on Team North America. The Sainte-Agathe, QC native had the lone goal in the Bolts Game 7 loss on Thursday night.
The World Cup of Hockey will be played in Toronto, Ontario from September 17 to October 1, 2016. It's organized by the National Hockey League and is the third installment, the other two being in 1996 and 2004. Eight teams, which include Canada, United States, Europe, Finland, Sweden, North America, Czech Republic and Russia. The North American team will be comprised of 23 and under players from the States and Canada.
Former Moose superstar Nathan MacKinnon was named back in March to Team North America while on the same day Jakub Voracek got included on the Czech Republic team.
Full rosters can be find here.
Congratulations to the four former Mooseheads and good luck to them in September during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey!
Photos - NHL.com
Thursday, May 26, 2016
#TBT: 3 years ago
It's hard to believe that 3 years ago today, our Halifax Mooseheads were celebrating a great season with a Memorial Cup championship. The 2012-2013 QMJHL season was an exciting one for the city of Halifax where we hosted the Top Prospects game, won the President's Cup and had 58 victories during the regular season. Since that May 26th day in 2013, all 20 players and the head coach have moved on, some to the pros but most to universities in Canada. The MVP of the tournament, Nathan MacKinnon had his best game in Saskatoon and was drafted 1st overall in the NHL draft a month later to Colorado.
Hopefully we'll have another championship year soon. Check out the video below for a recap of the season.
My recap from that night is below.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS
Your Halifax Mooseheads are champions once again. The Mooseheads won the President's Cup earlier in the month to book their ticket to the Memorial Cup as QMJHL Champions. They have now finished their unbelievable season with a Memorial Cup trophy after beating the WHL champions Portland Winterhawks 6-4.
The Winterhawks let in 3 goals in the first period and wasn't able to dig themselves out of the hole although they came very close. After outshooting the home team 5-0 early in the period, Mac Carruth let in a powerplay goal by Konrad Abeltshauser. Both players played in their last junior hockey game. In the second however, the Hawks got two goals to scare the Halifax faithful back at home and at the Credit Union Centre. It could've been tied at threes if Ty Rattie didn't glove the puck into the net. In the last 20 minutes, there was as many goals in that period as there was in the first two periods with Nathan MacKinnon scoring a hat trick to put it away with an empty net. Portland had a lot of pressure against Zach Fucale and the defense. It was almost the same score as the first game between these two teams but the Herd couldn't get the seventh but they also had a goal taken back.
Stephen MacAulay made history tonight after he won his second Memorial Cup. No one has ever gone to 4 league finals, won three and won two national championships. I'm sure he wasn't thinking of the fact that he made history. He assisted on Nate's third goal.
The all-star team was made up of both teams players.
Goalie - Zach Fucale
Defense - Derrick Pouliot and Konrad Abeltshauser
Forwards - Nathan MacKinnon, Marty Frk and Ty Rattie
Tournament awards were as follows:
MVP - Nathan MacKinnon
Top Scorer - Nathan MacKinnon
Most Sportsmanlike - Bo Horvat
Most Outstanding Goalie - Andrey Makarov
Hopefully we'll have another championship year soon. Check out the video below for a recap of the season.
My recap from that night is below.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS
Your Halifax Mooseheads are champions once again. The Mooseheads won the President's Cup earlier in the month to book their ticket to the Memorial Cup as QMJHL Champions. They have now finished their unbelievable season with a Memorial Cup trophy after beating the WHL champions Portland Winterhawks 6-4.
The Winterhawks let in 3 goals in the first period and wasn't able to dig themselves out of the hole although they came very close. After outshooting the home team 5-0 early in the period, Mac Carruth let in a powerplay goal by Konrad Abeltshauser. Both players played in their last junior hockey game. In the second however, the Hawks got two goals to scare the Halifax faithful back at home and at the Credit Union Centre. It could've been tied at threes if Ty Rattie didn't glove the puck into the net. In the last 20 minutes, there was as many goals in that period as there was in the first two periods with Nathan MacKinnon scoring a hat trick to put it away with an empty net. Portland had a lot of pressure against Zach Fucale and the defense. It was almost the same score as the first game between these two teams but the Herd couldn't get the seventh but they also had a goal taken back.
Stephen MacAulay made history tonight after he won his second Memorial Cup. No one has ever gone to 4 league finals, won three and won two national championships. I'm sure he wasn't thinking of the fact that he made history. He assisted on Nate's third goal.
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| Photo - CHL website |
The all-star team was made up of both teams players.
Goalie - Zach Fucale
Defense - Derrick Pouliot and Konrad Abeltshauser
Forwards - Nathan MacKinnon, Marty Frk and Ty Rattie
Tournament awards were as follows:
MVP - Nathan MacKinnon
Top Scorer - Nathan MacKinnon
Most Sportsmanlike - Bo Horvat
Most Outstanding Goalie - Andrey Makarov
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Where are the Moose drafting?
In less than a month, your Halifax Mooseheads will be heading to Charlottetown, PEI in anticipation of the 2016 QMJHL entry draft where the Herd have the first overall pick after winning the coin flip in April. The final Central Scouting Services draft rankings were released with Maxime Fortier's brother Gabriel ranked 3rd overall.
Barring any trades the Moose have 20 picks, the most selections for the team in one draft since the 2000 version. Halifax has never picked this high except for their inaugural draft in 1994. Nor have they ever had this many selections in the first 3 rounds, it really is a rebuilding year. Will be interesting to see who owner Bobby Smith, general manager Cam Russell and company choose on June 4th.
For the time being, here is where the Moose are picking on draft day
Round 1 - 1st overall
Round 1 - 7th overall (Quebec)
Round 1 - 16th overall (Shawinigan)
Round 2 - 21st overall
Round 2 - 24th overall (Bathurst)
Round 2 - 29th overall (Charlottetown)
Round 3 - 39th overall
Round 3 - 52nd overall (Shawinigan)
Round 4 - 57th overall
Round 5 - 75th overall
Round 6 - 93rd overall
Round 7 - 111th overall
Round 8 - 129th overall
Round 8 - 133rd overall (Blainville)
Round 9 - 147th overall
Round 10 - 165th overall
Round 11 - 183rd overall
Round 12 - 201st overall
Round 13 - 219th overall
Round 14 - 237th overall
Check back on draft day to see who Halifax selects and than later in the evening for a full recap of the day.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Alumni Help National Teams Reach Worlds Quarters
A couple of former Halifax Mooseheads players have helped their national teams reach the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships quarter-finals.
Brad Marchand, who played 26 games with the Herd, and Team Canada almost went undefeated in the preliminary round, only losing their final game today against Finland. The recently turned 28 year old has 2 goals and 4 points going into the medal round in this year's tournament. Canada finished 2nd in Group B meaning they will play Sweden in the quarters.
In the other group, Denmark has continued their strong performances in the world junior tourneys and brought it to the World Championships.
20 year old Nikolaj Ehlers has been impressive for his Danes as they secured a 4th place finish in Group A for a battle against the Finns in the quarters. Ehlers has 4 goals and 5 points so far.
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| Photo - Bruins Twitter |
In the other group, Denmark has continued their strong performances in the world junior tourneys and brought it to the World Championships.
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| Photo - Jets Twitter |
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Huskies Are League Champs
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| Photo - LHJMQ Facebook page |
Timo time is going to Red Deer!
Former Halifax Mooseheads forward Timo Meier has claimed a championship in what is sure to be his last junior season. The 18 year old had a goal and an assist to help the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies win their first ever President Cup on Thursday night. Rouyn-Noranda, who also had the best record in the QMJHL this season, were too much for the Shawinigan Cataractes, picking up a 7-2 victory on home ice to get the trophy.
The Huskies got off to a quick start in front of the home crowd and led 4-1 after the first period. Shawinigan forced a Game 5 after winning on Tuesday night 6-4 but couldn't muster much offence in the last game of the season. The Cataractes had 17 shots on net while the Huskies recorded 39.
Rouyn-Noranda will now represent the Q league in the 2016 Memorial Cup which begins next Friday in Red Deer, AB. The team's first opponent will be the WHL champion, which is still on going, on Saturday May 21.
Congratulations to Timo Meier and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on being the 2016 President Cup champions.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Wednesday News: Somppi Going to Draft Combine
The 18 year old was among the 4 players from the QMJHL Maritimes division teams invited. It's a chance for NHL team personnel to get another look at draft eligible players for "a complete physical and medical assessment of the top prospects three weeks before the draft." The event will be held from May 30 to June 4 at the First Niagara Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo, NY.
Somppi had a strong first season in North America recording 13 goals and 46 points in 59 games with the Mooseheads. The Finnish forward was ranked 78th on the Central Scouting rankings for NA skaters. The 2016 National Hockey League entry draft will be held June 24-25 at First Niagara Center.
In other news
- Former Herd players Connor Moynihan and Zach Fucale were in Shawinigan last night checking out former teammates Timo Meier, Cavan Fitzgerald and Danny Moynihan. The Cataractes avoided the sweep against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, picking up a 6-4 win.
- With the QMJHL draft less than a month away, talks about who your Moose will pick first overall are heating up with one ISS scout predicting that Halifax will chose Cole Harbour Wolfpack defenseman Jared MacIsaac. See the video from John Moore here.
- Alumni Jonathan Drouin has helped his Tampa Bay Lightning move on to the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2016 NHL playoffs where they will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had a goal and 4 assists in the Bolts 5 game second round series against the New York Islanders.
Monday, May 02, 2016
Mooseheads hire new Head Coach
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| Photo - NBC Hockey talk |
Tourigny, a native of Nicolet, QC, has previously spent time in the league with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies as their coach and general manager for ten seasons from 2002-2013. He than moved on to the Colorado Avalanche where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach under Patrick Roy. The 42 year old was than apart of the coaching staff with the Ottawa Senators organization. In his coaching career he has also spent some time with Team Canada.
General manager Cam Russel said this morning: “We are thrilled to be able to land a coach of Andre’s experience and caliber. We’re confident that under his leadership he’ll help our young team take the next step.”
The new head coach stated that; “I like the direction the Mooseheads are heading. They have good young players, a lot of good picks at the upcoming draft and a tradition of excellence.” He explained what makes Halifax a desirable destination for coaches."Halifax is one of the top markets in the entire CHL. The fan base is outstanding and it's a wonderful city."
The hiring was necessary after the departure of coach Dominique Ducharme last month who moved back to Quebec so he could be closer to his family.
We would like to take a moment and welcome Mr. Tourigny to Moose Country!
Sunday, May 01, 2016
President's Cup Matchup Set
Once again at least one former Halifax Mooseheads player will being participating in the QMJHL finals. Since the Herd won in the President's Cup in 2013 and than traded some of their players in the seasons after, Halifax has had an alumni member in the league championship series. The Moose have a former player on both teams that have made it this year.
20 year old Danny Moynihan and 19 year old Cavan Fitzgerald helped propel their Shawinigan Cataractes to the final round in which they won four games to one. Moynihan had 5 points in the series against Saint John and is 10th in league scoring after three rounds. Cavan recorded 6 assists in the last round and is one below Danny in scoring but 3rd in assists. They'll go up against former captain Timo Meier and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies who took a little longer to move past round 3. After a very hot start, Meier has gone somewhat cold the last two rounds scoring a goal and 2 assists in 6 games against the Moncton Wildcats.
The series will begin on Wednesday night in Rouyn-Noranda. The winner will represent the QMJHL in the Memorial Cup which is in Red Deer this year.
Below is the schedule:
Game 1 Wednesday May 4 at 7pm Rouyn-Noranda vs. Shawinigan
Game 2 Friday May 6 at 7pm Rouyn-Noranda vs. Shawinigan
Game 3 Sunday May 8 at 7pm Shawinigan vs. Rouyn-Noranda
Game 4 Monday May 9 at 7pm Shawinigan vs. Rouyn-Noranda
*Game 5 Wednesday May 11 at 7pm Rouyn-Noranda vs. Shawinigan
*Game 6 Friday May 13 at TBD Shawinigan vs. Rouyn-Noranda
*Game 7 Sunday May 15 at TBD Rouyn-Noranda vs. Shawinigan
All times Eastern
* if necessary
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