Memorial Cup repeat? Probably not. A Halifax Mooseheads dynasty

[plaugher]

In the hopes of generating some discussion and/or interesting reading (above and beyond the usual barrage of complaints about delays and perceived bugs), I have decided to start and share a dynasty.

I've always thought that the dynasty threads have made for the most interesting reading on the OOTP baseball boards over the years, and, while FHM is still in its infancy, I'm surprised how few dynasty threads have popped up to now.

I'll admit it. I'm more-or-less piggy-backing off of tcblcommish's Ottawa 67s dynasty thread. I'm going to also be operating a CHL dynasty, but with my hometown Halifax Mooseheads. "Oh sure, start a dynasty with the defending CHL champions. Big challenge".

Here's hoping I'll have the wherewithal to provide regular updates (and here's hoping we don't run into any unforeseen game-crashing issues in the near future!)

[plaugher]

Halifax finished last season on the highest of highs. With their deepest roster in team history, and a handful of top tier NHL prospects in the lineup, not only did Halifax post their franchise-best regular season record, but they proceeded to win the QMJHL President's Cup, and topped the Portland WinterHawks in the Memorial Cup final, also claiming their first trophy.

But that was last year.

Gone are two-thirds of the top line in first-overall Colorado Avalanche draft-pick and local golden boy Nathan MacKinnon, as well as Czech sniper Martin Frk. Also, veteran leaders and second line fixtures Stephen MacAulay and Stefan Fournier, as well as German #1 defenseman Konrad Abeltshauser have graduated to the pros.

FORWARD:
Halifax could conceivably have been without their entire top line from last season, but they were gifted the return of Jonathan Drouin, who was sent down by Tampa Bay at the end of training camp. Overagers Darcy Ashley and Brent Andrews will be counted on immensely to provide solid two-way play, and imports Nikolaj Ehlers and Timo Meier will be looked to to replace Marty Frk's offensive void. Halifax starts the season with five rookie forwards on the roster.

DEFENSE:
While there are some big holes in the top six, Halifax is returning five defenseman from last year's championship squads. Florida draft pick Mackenzie Weegar will be counted on to replace Abeltshauser's puck-moving ability, while overager Brendan Duke and 19-year-old Austyn Hardie will have to be lights-out defensively.

GOALTENDING:
There is no question mark between the pipes, as last year's workhorse Zach Fucale returns between the pipes. He will be leaned upon heavily again this season, and will have to steal some games if Halifax is to come close to approaching last year's successes. He will be backed up by journeyman Kevin Darveau.

OUTLOOK:
The experts feel that despite Halifax's loss of integral personnel, they are still among the teams to beat, with the team Halifax topped in the President's Cup, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, and their hated rivals across the St. Lawrence, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, as the key competition. Though they are without Patrick Roy's direction this season, the Quebec Remparts should also be in the discussion come the end of the season.

But thankfully, they don't hand out the hardware in September...

Halifax's lineup to start the season is as follows:
Nikolaj Ehlers/Jonathan Drouin/Darcy Ashley
Luca Ciampini/Brent Andrews/Timo Meier
Danny Moynihan/Andrew Ryan/Ryan Falkenham
Andrew Shewfelt/Connor Moynihan/Vincent Watt
spares: Max Lindsay, Liam Alcalde

Matt Murphy/Mackenzie Weegar
Austyn Hardie/Jesse Lussier
Brendan Duke/Brian Lovell
spares: Jacob Jacques

Zach Fucale/Kevin Darveau

[plaugher]

GAME 1, Sep 22 2013: Cape Breton 4, Halifax 3
Cape Breton scored early and often, putting up four goals in the first period (including two from Michael Clarke). They also ran into discipline problems, taking six minors through the first two periods. Halifax rallied with three quick third period goals from Andrews (short-handed) and a pair from Ashley, but they were unable to pot the equalizer.
Record: 0-1-0-0

GAME 2, Sep 24 2013: Halifax 4, Charlottetown 3
Halifax didn't come out flat in the second game, taking advantage of undisciplined Islanders play with three powerplay markers in the first (two from Andrews and one from Meier). Charlottetown tied the game midway through the second before Jesse Lussier blasted home a point shot for the winner two minutes later. Halifax weathered a frantic 15-shot output from Charlottetown, as well as a Jonathan Drouin hit-to-the-head major in the third to maintain the slim lead.
Record: 1-1-0-2

GAME 3, Sep 29 2013: Halifax 3, Gatineau 2
Halifax got a quick start in their first home game of the season, with Ehlers and Falkenham potting goals before the 10:00 mark of the first period. Falkenham notched a second of the game a man down to give Halifax a 3-1 lead. Despite giving up a powerplay goal 20 seconds later to bring the game within one, the Mooseheads held onto the one-goal lead for the entire second half of the game, squeaking out another win in front of nearly 9500 spectators.
Record: 2-1-0-4

GAME 4, Sep 30 2013: Halifax 4, Cape Breton 3
Halifax got their comeuppance against their provincial rivals after dropping the first game of the season, taking their third straight win (and third straight one-goal win). Bronson Beaton got Cape Breton on the board early, but the lead was short-lived as third-liner Ryan Falkenham potted his third of the season a minute later. Meir and Andrews added two powerplay markers in the second period to put Halifax in the driver's seat. Mackenzie Weegar added some insurance a minute into the third period. Halifax got lax shortly thereafter, as the Eagles netted two quick goals, but discipline problems prevented any sustained Cape Breton momentum (and probably saved Halifax's bacon). Fucale stopped 36 shots to preserve the win.
Record: 3-1-0-6

GAME 5, Oct 3 2013: Halifax 4, Acadie-Bathurst 0
Halifax finished their short three-game homestand by trouncing the Titan. Ehlers gave Halifax an early jump, notching his second of the season a minute-and-a-half in. Andrews added his fourth goal midway through the second. Rookie Danny Moynihan and fourth-year winger Luca Ciampini added some extra cushion in the third. Fucale stopped all 27 shots he faced. Matt Murphy had a stellar game, playing over 28 minutes and blocking six shots.
Record: 4-1-0-8

Notable by his absence on the score sheet in the early stages of the season is Jonathan Drouin, who has gone goalless thus far (four assists). He's had his chances, putting up 15 shots, and you have to think the goals will come eventually.

[plaugher]

GAME 6, Oct 6 2013: Saint John 3, Halifax 1
Halifax stepped out of town for a quick one-game jaunt into New Brunswick, and saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Kevin Darveau got his first start of the season, but Saint John got to him early with a first-minute marker from Matthew Highmore. Noah Zilbert put the Sea Dogs up two just before the end of the first. The second period started poorly for Halifax as well, as they fell behind by three goals by the two minute mark. Falkenham brought Halifax back within two about midway through the second, but that was all the scoring. Sebastian Auger turned away all fourteen Halifax shots in the third. Darveau stopped 29of 32 shots he faced. Drouin has gone scoreless in six.
Record: 4-2-0-8

GAME 7, Oct 7 2013: Halifax 4, Saint John 3
Halifax took the back half of the Saint John home-and-home, but if you stopped watching the game at the midway point, you would not have thought it possible. Fucale was back in goal, but Saint John didn't mind. Saint John led by two after the first on goals from Cooper and Anderson, and added a third seven minutes into the second period from Nathan Noel. Darcy Ashley broke the goose-egg with a minute left in the second, but Halifax still trailed by two despite outshooting Saint John by a two-to-one margin. Luca Ciampini gave the home crowd hope with his second six minutes in, but it was not until three minutes left that Halifax tied the game on a goal from fourth-liner Connor Moynihan. Jesse Lussier sent the fans home happy with his second, just a minute later. Saint John rookie Antoine Landry stopped forty shots in a losing cause.
Record: 5-2-0-10

GAME 8, Oct 11 2013: Halifax 7, Moncton 1
Halifax exploded in front of a near sellout crowd, trouncing their long-time rivals from Moncton. Timo Meier got the home team on the board in the first minute with a power-play marker, and added a second goal near the end of the first, with Ashley adding a third. Halifax continued to pour it on in the second, with rarely used Vince Watt notching his first career point. Meier then completed the hat trick at the 12 minute mark, and the route was on. Moncton broke the shutout five minutes into the third, but Halifax kept the pedal down, with Andrew Ryan and Jonathan Drouin (finally!) adding insurance goals. The wheels began to fall off towards the end of the game, with Moncton enforcer Kyle Haas laying a beating on Halifax's star defenseman Mac Weegar. Fucale stopped 20 shots for the win.
Record: 6-2-0-12

GAME 9, Oct 13 2013: Drummondville 3, Halifax 0
Halifax embarks on a short three game roadtrip including their first swing through Quebec. Halifax must have been slow coming out of the dressing room, as the Volts had a two goal lead before most of the fans found their seats, with Dexter Weber and Matthew Boudens scoring before two minutes had elapsed. Guillaume Gauthier added a third goal five minutes into the third. Halifax was played incredibly flat, only generating 21 shots in the shutout loss. Fucale turned away 29 Drummondville shots.
Record: 6-3-0-12

GAME 10, Oct 14 2013: Halifax 4, Shawinigan 1
Halifax looked to get off the schneid in their third game in four nights, but would have to do so without Brian Lovell, who suffered a minor injury in Drummondville. Jacob Jacques, the final pick in the 2013 Midget Draft, played his first career game in Lovell`s place. Nik Ehlers put Halifax on the board four minutes in on a great bang-bang play from Ashley. Alexis D`Aoust knotted the score later in the period. The 1-1 score carried into the third period, when Darcy Ashley broke the deadlock. Immediately off the faceoff, Weegar dropped the gloves for the second time this season, tangling with Alexandre Grandmaison. Shawinigan ran into discipline problems shortly thereafter, and Weegar`s powerplay replacement -- the afterthought Jacques -- notched his first goal in his first game. Meier added some late insurance. The top line of Ehlers, Drouin and Ashley combined for eight points. Fucale took the win, stopping 21 shots.
Record: 7-3-0-14

[tcblcommish]

The more the merrier! I'll be following along

[plaugher]

GAME 11, Oct 18 2013: Charlottetown 5, Halifax 4
While Lovell was back for this final game of the roadtrip, Halifax lost Austyn Hardie to a back injury late in the game against Shawinigan, and will miss two weeks. Halifax took the first meeting between the teams, but it was not to be today. Daniel Sprong opened the scoring on the powerplay three minutes in. Luca Ciampini knotted the game halfway through the period, making up for his earlier penalty. Cole Hutchinson added a second Islanders goal before the break. Charlottetown exploded for two goals in half a minute early in the second with Nevins and Pepin adding goals. Brent Andrews brought Halifax back within two with a shorty, but a Yan Pavel Laplante marker put the game out of reach early in the third. Ehlers and Ashley led the comeback attempt with goals two minutes apart, but the Islanders were able to neutralize the Mooseheads for the rest of the game.
Record: 7-4-0-14

GAME 12, Oct 20 2013: Halifax 3, Sherbrooke 0
Halifax welcomed the lowly Sherbrooke Phoenix for their first matchup of the season. This was a banner game for Darcy Ashley, who scored all three goals for the Mooseheads, in a nine minute span in the first period. Nikolaj Ehlers added three assists. While the score would indicate otherwise, Fucale had to turn away a not-pedestrian-at-all 34 saves for his second shutout of the season. Connor Moynihan dropped the gloves for the first time this season, fighting way below his weight class, tangling with 5'7" Jean-Christophe Laflamme.
Record: 8-4-0-16

GAME 13, Oct 22 2013: Halifax 6, Acadie-Bathurst 3
While Halifax welcomed Jonathan Drouin back into the fold with open arms, they probably expected a bit more bang for the buck on the scoreboard. Entering the game in Bathurst, Drouin had only potted one goal in his first twelve games (though he had also added eight assists). Not exactly the kind of production to be expected from arguably the top player in the league. Drouin exploded for two goals and two assists in this dominating performance over the Titan. Brent Andrews also notched two goals, while Nikolaj Ehlers and Matt Murphy potted singles. Darveau stopped 23 shots for his first win of the season.
Record: 9-4-0-16

GAME 14, Oct 25 2013: Drummondville 5, Halifax 4
Halifax returned home for another three game homestand, but in the first game, they fell for the second time to the Voltiguers. Things started off well for the Moose, with Ehlers and Weegar adding goals a minute-and-a-half apart halfway through the first. Drummondville rallied with two early second period goals from Salvail and Verrier. Ciampini put Halifax up half a minute later before Lancelette tied the game at 3-3 before the end of the second. Cameron Askew and Joey Ratelle netted goals for Drummondville in the third, with Connor Moynihan also tacking on one for Halifax. Weegar finished the game with three points. Fucale stopped 24 shots in the loss.
Record: 9-5-0-18

GAME 15, Oct 28 2013: Halifax 7, Chicoutimi 5
Things didn`t get any easier in game two of the homestand, as Halifax hosted the top team in the Q in the Sagueneens, who had a record of 12-1-0 to start the season. And they would be doing so without one of their top liners in Darcy Ashley, who is day-to-day with an ankle injury. But they did welcome Austyn Hardie back to the lineup after missing four games. Halifax exploded for four goals in the first, with Weegar and Murphy potting singles, while Ehlers added a pair. Puhakka and Roy answered for the Sags after a wild first. Halifax continued their offensive tear in the second, with Weegar adding his second goal three minutes in. Drouin made it six at the midway point of the period. Even the stay-at-home defenseman Hardie got in on the act with his first of the season late in the period. Loik Leveille brought Chicoutimi back into respectability late in the period. Halifax tried to ride out the rest of the game, allowing goals to Dauphin and Tremblay to bring it within two, but weren`t able to escape unscathed, as key forward Brent Andrews went down midway through the third with a rib injury. Fucale stopped 32 for the win, while Dominic Graham took the ugly loss.
Record: 10-5-0-20

The next few games could be tricky for Halifax, with two of their top four forwards on the shelf. Depth was a strength last year; how will their third and fourth lines full of rookies adapt to increased roles?

[plaugher]

GAME 16, Oct 29 2013: Halifax 4, Charlottetown 2
No Ashley. No Andrews. And, no Brendan Duke, who was injured in morning practice. No problem for Halifax, as they topped the Islanders for the second time this season. Pepin opened the scoring for Charlottetown, with fourth-liner Vincent Watt equalling the game with six minutes left in the first. Rookie Daniel Sprong put Charlottetown back up with a powerplay goal at the 8:00 mark of the second. That score remained until nearly halfway through the third, when Danny Moynihan knotted the score with a shorty. Matt Murphy made Charlottetown pay for undisicplined play five minutes later, putting Halifax up for good. Jonathan Drouin added his fourth with two minutes left to ice it.
Record: 11-5-0-22

GAME 17, Nov 4 2013: Drummondville 4, Halifax 3
For some reason, Drummondville has Halifax's number this season, as the Mooseheads fell to the Volts for the third straight time this season. Darcy Ashley was back in the lineup, and he put Halifax up half a minute into the game. Cameron Askew answered on the powerplay four minutes later, and Ryan Falkenham put Halifax up again just before the end of the period. The teams continued to trade goals in the second with Askew burying his second, before Brian Lovell put Halifax up for the third time only half a minute later. Drummondville turned up the heat in the third, firing 12 shots at Halifax, while Halifax also took three minot penalties. Guillaume Gauthier tied the game for Drummondville at the 6:00 mark, and Dexter Weber put the Volts up for good with eight minutes left. Fucale stopped 25 in the loss. Drummondville has given Halifax half of their losses this season.
Record: 11-6-0-22

GAME 18, Nov 5 2013: Halifax 5, Rimouski 4
Brendan Duke returned to the Halifax lineup tonight. Timo Meier opened the scoring eight minutes in. Rimouski answered with two in quick succession from Courtemanche and Boland. Lovell equalled the score with four minutes left. Anthony DeLuca put Rimouski up again near the halfway point, but Halifax turned up the heat in the second half of the period, scoring three times with goals from Danny Moynihan, Weegar, and Murphy. Halifax nursed the lead for much of the third. Michael Joly gave Rimouski late hope, scoring on the powerplay after an Ashley penalty, but Fucale weathered the storm and held onto the win.
Record: 12-6-0-24

GAME 19, Nov 10 2013: Halifax 3, Gatineau 2 (SO)
The Mooseheads begin a four-game road-trip against Gatineau and their super-Euro combo of Martin Reway and Vaclav Karabacek. Andrew Ryan opened the scoring two minutes in for Halifax. Jonathan Drouin doubled their lead two minutes later with his sixth of the season, on the powerplay. Taylor Burke brought the Piques back within one early in the second. Burke completed the comeback with his second of the game early in the third. Halifax weathered some undisciplined penalties late in the third to carry the game into overtime. The extra frame decided nothing and for the first time this season, the Mooseheads went to shootout. Drouin and Karabacek flubbed their first shots. Meier scored on Halifax's second shot while Burke also missed. Ashley was unable to put it away and Vincent Dunn ensured that shootout would continue. Ehlers scored on Halifax's fourth shot and Gatineau couldn't answer.
Record: 13-6-0-26

GAME 20, Nov 11 2013: Halifax 3, Victoriaville 1
Halifax continued their road trip in Victoriaville against the fourth-place Tigres. Nikolaj Ehlers put Halifax up early burying a feed from Weegar a minute in. Danny Moynihan scored his fourth of the season seven minutes in to put Halifax up two. Brian Lovell dropped the gloves for the first time this season, drawing Jonathan Diaby in a spirited bout. The rough stuff continued into the second, with Weegar tangling with Tommy Veilleux. The two fights didn't give Victo the motivation they sought, as Drouin gave Halifax a three goal cushion near the halfway point of the period. The pugilist, Veilleux, brought the Tigres back within two five minutes before end of the second frame. No more scoring, but a third fight before the end of the game. Weegar again, this time with Diaby. Fucale stopped 29 for the W.
Record: 14-6-0-28

[plaugher]

Early season update:
Halifax sits second in the league (first in the Maritime Division) with 28 points. They sit six points up on second place Charlottetown. Chicoutimi sits atop the league with a record of 15-4-2. Drummondville leads the Tellus division with 26 points. Shawinigan is in the league's basement with only five wins and twelve points.

QMJHL Top 5 scorers:
1. Nicolas Roy (Chicoutimi) 19GP 17-11-28, +6, 6pim
2. Laurent Dauphin (Chicoutimi) 21GP 14-14-28, +6, 6pim
3. Sebastien Sylvestre (Chicoutimi) 21GP 4-23-27, +4 4pim
4. Vaclav Karabacek (Gatineau) 18GP 17-9-26, +10 6pim
5. Valentin Zykov (Baie-Comeau) 18GP 14-12-26, +7 5pim

Halifax Top 5 scorers:
Darcy Ashley 17GP 10-12-22, +14 4pim
Nikolaj Ehlers 20GP 9-12-21, +19 2pim
Jonathan Drouin 20GP 7-14-21, +22 33pim
Mackenzie Weegar 20GP 5-13-18, +13 32pim
Matt Murphy 20GP 4-13-17, +13 6pim

Halifax goaltending:
Zach Fucale 18GP 12-5-1, 2.65, .914
Kevin Darveau 2GP 1-1-0, 3.00, .897

Surprises:
Ashley: Shouldn't be surprised given his leadership, however the offensive outburst is a surprise. He leads the team in goals and points despite missing three games, and is also their top face-off man.
Ehlers: I knew he was going to be good, but over a point a game for a rookie is a welcome sight. Of course, having Jonathan Drouin on your line can only help.
Timo Meier: The "other" import is quietly on pace for a fifty point season seeing a rotation of bodies on the second line. Andrews has been out for a bit, Ryan hasn't generated much, and Ciampini has been a cold, yet Meier continues plugging away.

Disappointments:
Ciampini: I was hoping he'd seize a second line scoring role whole-heartedly this season, but he has been an unmitigated disaster. Only four goals and two assists, and a -3 rating on a top offensive team is unacceptable from a fourth-year player. He really has to turn it up. Perhaps a run with Drouin for a couple of weeks might get him going, but the top line has been clicking, so why mess with a good thing?

I agree we need more dynasty write ups! The game is a lot more stable now so the chances of crashes shouldn't put people off!

I remember on EHM 07 years ago, on my Unemployed to the NHL save. I managed to go from Russia to the WHL, trying to break the NHL or AHL ranks, I got stuck at the Prince Albert Raiders for 2 seasons and had no idea what I was doing! Luckily though I did enough to land the Reading Royals ECHL job haha!

Nice reading though, I keep meaning to start a KHL one!

[plaugher]

GAME 21, Nov 17 2013: Rouyn-Noranda 1, Halifax 0
Max Lindsay was day-to-day with a back issue, so fourth-liner Mike Molloy was inserted for his first game of the season. No scoring in the first period, however the Huskies got on the board midway through the second when Frederick Gaudreau took advantage of a first-line versus fourth-line matchup to notch the only goal of the game. Halifax had their opportunities, but was an anemic 0/5 on the powerplay. Philippe Gingras took the shutout, while Fucale stopped 25 in the loss.
Record: 14-7-0-28

GAME 22, Nov 19 2013: Halifax 2, Val d'Or 1 (OT)
Game two of Halifax's four-game homestand would be another test, playing second place (Telus division) Val d'Or. Halifax was slow out of the gate again, as Louick Marcotte put the Foreurs on the board midway through the first. Discipline problems began taking over for Halifax, with six minors through the first two periods, which Val d'Or was unable to capitalize. After nearly six consecutive periods of being shut out, Danny Moynihan finally broke the goose-egg with two-and-a-half minutes left in the third to send the game to overtime. Anthony Mantha took a late high-sticking penalty, and Halifax made them pay early in the extra frame, with Ryan Falkenham sending the fans home happy with a winner in the first half-minute of overtime. Fucale turned away 26 for the win.
Record: 15-7-0-30

Around the league, Chicoutimi's offensive juggernaut hit a major roadblock, as Charles Hudon suffered a torn MCL and is out for the season.

GAME 23, Nov 22 2013: Halifax 5, Baie-Comeau 2
The games don't get any easier on the home-stand, as the defending Presidents Cup runners-up Baie-Comeau Drakkar roll into town. Darveau was a scratch after suffering a minor injury in practice, so overager Chris Clarke was recalled as an emergency backup. No scoring in the first, and the Drakkar were the first to get on the board with Gamelin on the powerplay. Andrew Ryan would knot it up at 1 halfway through the period, also on the powerplay. The score remained the same until a busy third, where Halifax exploded for four even strength markers from Matt Murphy, Timo Meier, Nik Ehlers, and some extra insurance from Vincent Watt. Gabryel Paquin answered for the underachieving Drakkar.
Record: 16-7-0-32

GAME 24, Nov 24 2013: Halifax 3, Cape Breton 2 (OT)
Halifax got a big boost with Brent Andrews returning to the lineup, while the Eagles were without their leading scorer, William Carrier. Darveau was also back in the lineup and starting for Halifax. Weegar put Halifax on the board five minutes in with a point blast, but despite 19 first period shots, his was Halifax's only marker in the period. Michael Clarke evened the score ten seconds from time to give the Eagles motivation. No scoring in the second, though Brian Lovell scrapped with Justin Dickinson. Andrews put Halifax up with an early third period goal, but the Moose were unable to coast the rest of the way, as Clarke notched his second late-period goal to send the game to overtime. Clarke went from hero to goat in overtime, taking a late boarding penalty. Nikolaj Ehlers made the Eagles pay with the winner on the powerplay with half a minute remaining. Darveau stopped 34 in the win while Philippe Desrosiers went unrewarded in his stellar 41-save performance. Halifax finished the homestand 3-and-1.
Record: 17-7-0-34

More key injury news from around the league, as Baie-Comeau forward Valentin Zykov will miss a month with a broken foot. He's put up 34 points in 25 games for the Drakkar.

GAME 25: Nov 27 2013: Halifax 5, Moncton 3
Back on the road, against Moncton (who are without leading scorer Conor Garland, injured the previous night against the Drakkar). Halifax took a one-goal lead into the second period after Brendan Duke's first of the season and a follow-up from Andrew Ryan. Drouin made it three with an early second period marker. Moncton stormed back in the third with two quick goals from Ivan Barbashev and Brayden Wood. The score remained tied until Danny Moynihan buried a shorty with six minutes left (while penalty-killing specialist Brent Andrews was in the box). Ryan added his second on the powerplay late as insurance, and Halifax won their fourth in a row.
Record: 18-7-0-36

A couple of big games next week, but Halifax will be without Nikolaj Ehlers, day-to-day with shoulder stiffness for the next seven days or so. Secondary scoring has picked up in the last couple of weeks (as the top line of Ashley/Drouin/Ehlers has cooled)... Big test against Chicouimi's high-flying offense up next.

[plaugher]

GAME 26, Dec 1 2013: Halifax 3, Chicoutimi 2
A marquee matchup, but missing two marquee players, with Hudon and Ehlers out. Since Halifax trumped Chicoutimi in their last meeting, the Sags have dropped eight of their past ten games but still sit tied for second in the league. Halifax picked up the early lead courtesy of a Timo Meier goal six minutes in through an otherwise tentative first period. Jeremy Lepine knotted the game at 1 halfway through a back-and-forth second period. Nicolas Roy put the home side on its heels with his league-leading 22nd of the year six minutes into the third, however Ryan Falkenham answered back immediately for Halifax 20 seconds later. Mackenzie Weegar capitalized on a Jamie Puhakka elbowing penalty to put Halifax up with nine minutes remaining, and Chicoutimi ran into penalty troubles towards the end of the third frame, negating any opportunity for a comeback. Fucale notched his league-leading 16th win, stopping 27.
Record: 19-7-0-38

GAME 27, Dec 3 2013: Victoriaville 4, Halifax 2
Halifax welcomes Les Tigres back after a rough-and-tumble affair last time the two teams met. Gabriel Gagne opened the scoring for the Tigres twelve minutes in, which was followed up by a goal from Vikul Sukumaran half-a-minute later, putting the home team on their heels. Andrew Ryan brought Halifax back within one early in the second, but Victo regained their two-goal cushion with four minutes left in the period on a powerplay goal from Mathieu Ayotte. Brent Andrews continued his stellar shorthanded play, giving Halifax hope with his fourth shorty seven minutes in, however Gagne's second of the game put Halifax away eight minutes from time. Fucale took the loss, stopping 25. It was only Halifax's third home-ice loss this season.
Record: 19-8-0-38

GAME 28, Dec 5 2013: Cape Breton 4, Halifax 3
Another Battle of Nova Scotia matchup, with Halifax welcoming back Ehlers and Cape Breton happy to see Carrier return to the lineup. The goals came fast and furious for the Eagles early on as they put three pucks past Kevin Darveau in the first eight minutes, with Clark Bishop, Michael Clarke, and Bryce Milson tallying. Ryan Falkenham got Halifax one back with a late-period marker. Cameron Darcy made it four early in the second, before Nikolaj Ehlers answered with his twelfth a minute later. Unhappy with his subpar performance, Halifax swapped Darveau for Fucale to start the third. Timo Meier gave Halifax hope with a short-handed goal nine minutes left in the period, but Cape Breton collapsed into a defensive shell to hold on for the win and hand Halifax a rare back-to-back loss.
Record: 19-9-0-38

Game 29, Dec 9 2013: Halifax 5, Acadie-Bathurst 0
Halifax continued their Maritime swing into Bathurst to take on the Titan. Hoping to change things up, slumping Luca Ciampini was a healthy scratch and winger Jonathan Lacroix-Courville (20 points in 16 games in Quebec AAA) was called up, with Andrew Ryan taking Ciampini's spot on the second line. Halifax seemed a little dazed out of the gate, with Bathurst throwing plenty of checks, but neither team generating any offense. Danny Moynihan put Halifax on the board midway through the second period and Brent Andrews doubled the lead just before the buzzer with another short-handed goal. Halifax took charge in the third, with two powerplay markers from Jonathan Drouin before Andrews added his league-leading sixth shorthanded goal, as Halifax trounced the Titan on the road. Ryan Falkenham added a season-high four assists in the win. Fucale stopped 40 for the shutout.
Record: 20-9-0-40

Game 30, Dec 10 2013: Saint John 3, Halifax 2
Halifax moved on to Saint John for game three of the road trip. Saint John lost third-line centerman Stephen Smallman to a season-ending knee injury last night. Halifax started out undisciplined, but Saint John couldn't convert on two early powerplays. Jonathan Drouin opened the scoring six minutes in and Ryan Falkenham added another at the 13:00 mark. Jurij Repe put one past Kevin Darveau just before the break to give the Sea Dogs some life. Noah Zilbert knotted the score with six minutes left in the second, capitalising on a Mackenzie Weegar minor. Oliver Cooper put the Dogs up midway through the third and Saint John held on for the win. Darveau took the loss, stopping 25 shots.
Record: 20-10-0-40

[plaugher]

Well, nearing the halfway point of the season, and Halifax sits tied for the fourth-best record in the league, about where I had hoped they would be at this point. However, that does not mean I don't have some reservations about my team's play. I was hoping that the top line of Ehlers/Drouin/Ashley would have separated themselves from the pack, but when players on the second and third lines -- namely Meier, Andrews, and Falkenham, all with much less ice-time -- are matching the offensive production of the big three, that has to be cause for concern. Ashley has not scored since October, and that is very disconcerting.

With the trade deadline a little more than three weeks away, it might be time to start thinking of adding some more top-end scoring, as Ashley seems to be better suited to a second line role at this point (completely contradicting the glowing praise from only a few weeks ago). Ciampini cannot be trusted any more in a scoring role (only eight points in 27 games, despite seeing time with Andrews and Meier, as well as a few underachieving games with Drouin and Ehlers). He'll definitely be dangled to see if there are any takers. I was also hoping for a little bit of offense from a fourth-line full of hungry rookies, but Connor Moynihan, Vincent Watt and Andrew Shewfelt have only combined for five goals this season. Lacroix-Courville has already been called up, and Max Fortier or Jordan King (both doing well in midget) may not be that far behind. Some dependable depth presence may also be sought after.

I'm very happy with my defense's performance, and Fucale has been a stud again. Darveau has struggled in his few appearances, so I'm not sure what I would do if Fucale went down...

[plaugher]

GAME 31, Dec 14 2013: Halifax 4, Charlottetown 3
Timo Meier suffered a oblique injury in practice mid-week and will miss the next three-to-four weeks, presenting a gaping hole on the second line. Luca Ciampini was given another chance in the top-six (pretty much by default) as Halifax juggled the lines. Charlottetown struck quickly after puck-drop, with rookie Daniel Sprong netting two goals before the game was six minutes old. Halifax responded -- often -- in the second period, first from Ryan Falkenham on the powerplay, then a pair from Darcy Ashley (who snapped his six-week drought) and Brent Andrews less than half-a-minute apart. Luca Ciampini snapped his own lengthy slump towards the end of the period, notching his fifth. Erik Robichaud got the Islanders within one midway through the third, but it was not enough.
Record: 21-10-0-42

GAME 32, Dec 15 2013: Halifax 7, Acadie-Bathurst 4
Halifax played their second game in three nights, hosting the lowly Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Olivier Houle got the Titan on the board early, putting a powerplay marker past Zach Fucale three minutes in. Andrew Ryan equalled the score three minutes later, before Ehlers gave Halifax their first lead of the game at the twelve minute mark. That lead was short-lived, as Vytal Cote tied the game a minute later. Brian Lovell buried his first of the season two minutes into the second, but Raphael Lafontaine provided the equalizer a few minutes later. Jonathan Drouin put Halifax back up top with his twelfth goal just before the break. Halifax continued to pour it on in the third, with Brent Andrews and Luca Ciampini adding powerplay goals and Darcy Ashley potting more insurance late. Adam Stevens answered for the Titan, but it was not nearly enough. Not a banner game for Jacob Brennan, who gave up seven goals on 28 shots. Potential Halifax target Adam Chapman added two assists and one 76% of his draws. The Titan also lost one of their lone bright spots, Nicolas Blanchard, to an oblique strain that should keep him out a month.
Record: 22-10-0-44

GAME 33, Dec 16 2013: Halifax 2, Moncton 1
Three games in three nights for Halifax saw them finish the weekend in Moncton. Fucale got a break with Darveau getting the start. His teammates gave him an early head-start, as Darcy Ashley score two-and-a-half minutes into the first. Stephen Johnson answered late in the period to send the teams tied into the break. The score remained knotted at 1 before Luca Ciampini, relishing his top line role, put Halifax up with a goal in his third straight game (the two games' worth of healthy scratches lighting a fire perhaps?) The third period saw no scoring, although Moncton was gifted a five-minute powerplay with six minutes left after Andrew Ryan was assessed a check-to-the-head major. Darveau turned aside 30 shots for the victory.
Record: 23-10-0-46

GAME 34, Dec 22 2013: Halifax 5, Saint John 3
Halifax's last game before Christmas was against the Sea Dogs. Luca Ciampini opened the scoring with a goal in his fourth-straight, which was followed up shortly thereafter by Max Lindsay's first of the year. Marcus Cuomo added one for the Dogs before the first was up. Ryan Falkenham blew the game open in the second with two powerplay goals five minutes apart, and Brian Lovell added a fifth goal early in the third. Oliver Cooper and Riley Craft kept Halifax honest by adding goals late in the third but it was too little too late.
Record: 24-10-0-48

The first big move of the trade period sees the Sea Dogs move 18-year-old Oliver Cooper (26 points) to Rouyn-Noranda for stay-at-home defenseman Allan Caron. Cooper had been on my short-list. Would have made a nice second-line addition. Should have pulled the trigger earlier, but I'm kinda mesmerized by this Ciampini resurgence...

GAME 35, Dec 29 2013: Halifax 4, Cape Breton 3
Front half of the traditional New Years' home-and-home against the provincial rivals the Screaming Eagles. Cameron Darcy opened the scoring five minutes in on a feed by Mooseheads killer William Clarke. Nik Ehlers evened the score around the halfway point on a feed from Murphy. The tie was short-lived as Darcy potted his second of the game with four minutes left in the first. The scoring came fast and furious in the second period, with a rejuvenated Luca Ciampini burying two goals in one minute to give Halifax the lead for the first time in the game. Clarke answered to tie the game at the seven minute mark, but Halifax regained the lead shortly thereafter with Andrews notching his fifteenth. The tempo in the third matched the second, but to no output, as Halifax weathered 16 Eagles shots to hold onto the win. Jesse Lussier dropped the mitts with fighting major-leader Justin Dickinson. Fucale turned aside 33 for the victory.
Record: 25-10-0-50

[canadiancreed]

Let s go Islanders!

[plaugher]

GAME 36, Dec 30 2013: Cape Breton 7, Halifax 3
The back half of the home-and-home was an undisciplined display for the Mooseheads, who took nine minor penalties. Cape Breton made them pay with four powerplay markers from Darcy, Carrier, Bishop and Nicholson. Carrier added a second goal, and Timothé Simard and Mooseheads-killer Michael Clarke added the others. Ryan, Ehlers and Lussier answered for the home squad. Fucale was not sharp, stopping 22 of 27 before being lifted for Darveau to start the third.
Record: 25-11-0-50

According to league chatter, Halifax had apparently been in the market for Rimouski 19-year-old checking-line winger Alexis Loiseau, however their offer of a mid-range pick and a prospect was not deemed sufficient. More's the pity for the 'Nics, as Loiseau went down with an elbow injury last night.

Halifax is still targeting a few players, now that a move for Loiseau looks unlikely. Bathurst centre Adam Chapman has been mentioned previously thanks to his gritty play and strong work in the face-off circle, and his teammate and scoring winger Raphael Lafontaine would be a solid top-six addition. A package for those two would undoubtedly see a sizable package of prospects (Fortier? Lacroix-Courville?) picks, and probably a roster player. Shawinigan's 19-year-old winger Alexandre Grandmaison has also been mentioned as a possibility. A likely returnee next year, who has also been one of the Cataractes few bright spots, would also not come cheap. Staying the course is not out of the question.

Rimouski did end up making a move, swapping rookie defenseman Andrew Picco to Victoriaville for once-highly-touted (yet still only 16-year-old) defenseman Luc Deschenes.

GAME 37: Jan 4 2014: Moncton 4, Halifax 3
Game two of Halifax's three-game homestand against division rivals did not go well either, as they fell to the Wildcats by a goal. The game was never in never really in doubt, as Moncton put three pucks past Zach Fucale in a hurry, with Ryan Penny, Ivan Barbashev, and Liam Hynes tallying before the halfway point of the first. Cody Drover added a fourth goal early in the third, while Nikolaj Ehlers replied with a pair of goals and Jonathan Drouin with a single.
Record: 25-12-0-50

Post-game, Halifax finally entered the trading frenzy, making a sizable swap with Shawinigan. Joining Halifax were 19-year-old winger Alexandre Grandmaison (19-8-27) and physical 18-year-old winger Samuel Vigneault (10 points in AAA), as well as a 5th round pick. Heading to Shawinigan are 18-year-old defenseman Brian Lovell (34gp, 4-4-8), 17-year-old forward Jonathan Lacroix-Courville (20 points in AAA), and a 2014 2nd rounder.

With the addition of Vigneault, Halifax also shuttled spare forward Liam Alcalde (16gp, 0 points) to Charlottetown for the rights to AAA forward Jean-Michael Busque and an 8th rounder.

GAME 38, Jan 5 2014: Halifax 7, Saint John 1
Jonathan Drouin decided to have one of those sorts of games that few could match in the final game of the short homestand, putting up a stellar six-point performance (including four goals) against the hapless Sea Dogs. Alexandre Grandmaison scored a powerplay goal in his Mooseheads debut, and Ciampini and Ehlers added extras. Noah Zilbert scored the only goal for Saint John. Fucale turned away 33 for the win.
Record: 26-12-0-52

A flurry of minor deals, the biggest being Blainville-Boisbriand making a desperation move acquiring goaltender Alex Bureau from Cape Breton for prospect Tyler Brown and a pick. The Armada had been without starting goaltender Etienne Marcoux for the bulk of the season, and also had Guillaume Descelles on the shelf.

GAME 39, Jan 7 2014: Halifax 5, Charlottetown 4
Another tight matchup between the top two teams in the Maritime division saw the Mooseheads just squeak by. The Islanders got the early lead on a goal from Alexandre Goulet. Ryan Falkenham evened the score three minutes into the second, but the Islanders got up by two midway through the period on goals from Leduc and Sprong. Grandmaison brought Halifax back within one just before the break. Drouin knotted the game a minute into the third, but the tie was short-lived as Sprong put Charlottetown back up. Drouin's sixth goal in his last two games evened the score again, and Timo Meier slipped the winning goal past Antoine Bibeau with two minutes left.
Record: 27-12-0-54

The trade deadline fell on January 8th, with no more moves from Halifax. Bathurst was active, moving 19-year-olds Alex Soumakis and Robert Pelletier in separate deals, but they were the biggest names on the move amid a flurry of minor deals.

Halifax's healthy lineup exiting the trade deadline is as follows:
Ehlers (17)/Drouin (18)/Ashley (20)
Ciampini (19)/Andrews (20)/Grandmaison (19)
Meier (17)/Ryan (19)/Falkenham (18)
D.Moynihan (17)/C. Moynihan (16)/Watt (17)
Spares: Shewfelt (17), Lindsasy (19), Vigneault (18)

Murphy (18)/Weegar (19)
Hardie (19)/Lussier (19)
Duke (20)/Jacques (17)
Spares: Bailey (19)

Fucale (18), Darveau (19)

GAME 40, Jan 10 2014: Acadie-Bathurst 3, Halifax 0
The first game after the trade deadline was not a banner one for the Mooseheads, who were blanked by the lowly Titan. The result was worse than the score indicates, as Halifax also lost star defenseman Mackenzie Weegar to an arm injury (which will keep him out about three weeks). Bathurst forward Adam Chapman showed Halifax that perhaps they should have upped the pre-deadline offer, as he notched two goals in the win, while former Moosehead Joel Blanchard added the other goal. New acquisition Grandmaison dropped the gloves for the first time with Halifax, holding his own against overage defenseman Olivier Houle. Jacob Brennan stopped 17 shots for the shutout.
Record: 27-13-0-54

[Big Six]

Another major junior dynasty...very cool!

I just posted in tcblcommish's OHL dynasty thread about the fact that I might give a CHL dynasty a go myself. I'm not sure whether I'll describe my career as a GM, or whether I'll write a story with a focus on a player. I might choose the latter, since there are already a couple of you writing GM stories here.

Then again, I really like writing about junior hockey dynasties. I've always had the most fun playing CHL teams in Eastside Hockey Manager, too.

Anyway, good luck, and keep up the good work!

[plaugher]

Ok. Had a bit of a catastrophic loss, as I accidentally saved over the word file that I had been typing the dynasty up in. And since I had already moved onto the next season game-wise, it appears as if the previous results are lost to the ether... So, here's a quick barebones sum-up of the 2013-14 season.

Post-trade deadline, Halifax was really really on a roll. In the final 28 games of the season, Fucale really cranked it up a notch, and Halifax went on a 23-5 run to seize not only the division lead, but the top record in the league, finishing with a 50-18-0-0 record, staying eight points clear at the top.

However, with three games left in the regular season, Halifax was dealt with a catastrophic blow, as Jonathan Drouin (who, after a rather milquetoast first half of the season had really turned it on offensively, jumping into the top five in league points) went down with what was essentially a season-ending back injury.

Halifax didn't have any problems in the first round, taking down the Sherbrooke Phoenix in four straight games (although they were four one-goal games, two of which went to overtime, two of which were ended by Daniel Moynihan game-winners).

They moved on to play the hated Moncton Wildcats in the second round, and had a bit of a schizophrenic series. After holding the Wildcats to one goal in the first two games at home, Moncton went on a tear in games 3, 4, and 5, taking all three, and handily at that. Games 4 and 5 made it look as if the Mooseheads tank really was empty, as they were outscored something like 13-3 in the two games. Halifax was able to rally in game six, and took game seven at home 4-2.

On to the semi-finals, against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, but the lack of depth for Halifax proved to be too much, as the Huskies took the series in five games, before eventually bowing out to Baie-Comeau (in their second-straight President's Cup appearance), with the Drakkar heading off to the Memorial Cup. I'll say it was depth in the end rather than injuries, as the Drakkar, too, had their share of injuries down the stretch, including losing the third-best scorer in the league, Felix Girard, to a five-month injury just before the playoffs, as well as losing starting goaltender Philippe Cadorette for a month during the first round.

The London Knights won the 2013-14 Memorial Cup, trumping the Kelowna Rockets in the championship game. Erie finished third (as host team), while Baie-Comeau dropped all three games in the round-robin.

[plaugher]

Post-season round-up:
Halifax scoring:
(17) *Nikolaj Ehlers --- 66gp, 33-41-74, +38, 20pim
(18) Jonathan Drouin --- 65gp, 37-32-69, +40, 43pim
(20) Darcy Ashley --- 65gp, 18-41-59, +30, 51pim
(19) Alexandre Grandmaison --- 68gp, 26-25-51, E, 97pim (HAL: 31gp, 7-16-23, +11, 47pim)
(19) Mackenzie Weegar --- 61gp, 11-39-50, +25, 79pim
(20) Brent Andrews --- 59gp, 25-24-49, +16, 28pim
(18) Ryan Falkenham --- 67gp, 24-23-47, E, 16pim
(18) Matt Murphy --- 68gp, 5-30-35, +21, 20pim
(19) Andrew Ryan --- 68gp, 13-20-33, +12, 31pim
(17) *Timo Meier --- 47gp, 14-17-31, +4, 28pim
(19) Luca Ciampini --- 65gp, 18-12-30, +10, 28pim
(19) Austyn Hardie --- 62gp, 5-22-27, +29, 42pim
(19) Jesse Lussier --- 65gp, 4-23-27, +17, 96pim
(20) Brendan Duke --- 67gp, 2-23-25, +11, 22pim
(17) *Daniel Moynihan --- 65gp, 10-13-23, +1, 47pim
(17) *Jacob Jacques --- 36gp, 2-12-14, +16, 4pim
(16) *Connor Moynihan --- 64gp, 5-7-12, +8, 29pim
(17) *Vincent Watt --- 55gp, 5-5-10, -3, 4pim
X(18) Brian Lovell --- 34gp, 4-4-8, -12, 18pim (to SHA)
(19) Brennan Bailey ---12gp, 0-4-4, +3, 2pim
(17) *Andrew Shewfelt --- 39gp, 1-1-2, -4, 4pim
(19) Jean-Michel Busque ---14gp, 1-0-1, +1, 0pim (from CHA) (HAL: 3gp, 1-0-1, +1, 0pim)
(19) Max Lindsay --- 16gp, 1-0-1, -1, 4pim
(18) Samuel Vigneault --- 18gp, 1-0-1, +1, 7pim
(19) Mike Molloy --- 2gp, 0-0-0, -1, 0pim
(16) *Taylor Ford --- 3gp, 0-0-0, -1, 0pim
X(17) Jonathan Lacroix-Courville --- 5gp, 0-0-0, -1, 0pim (to SHA)
(19-G) Kevin Darveau --- 12gp, 0-0-0, E, 0pim
X(18) Liam Alcalde --- 16gp, 0-0-0, -4, 4pim
(18-G) Zach Fucale --- 59gp, 0-0-0, E, 0pim

Goaltending:
(18) Zach Fucale --- 59, 40-16-0, 2.45, 0.918, 5so
(19) Kevin Darveau --- 12gp, 10-2-0, 2.47, 0.918, 0so

Playoff scoring:
Brent Andrews --- 17gp, 7-12-19, +6, 6pim
*Nikolaj Ehlers --- 17gp, 8-8-16, +6, 2pim
Alexandre Grandmaison --- 17gp, 7-8-15, +7, 16pim
*Timo Meier --- 17gp, 5-9-14, -6, 4pim
Ryan Falkenham --- 17gp, 5-7-12, -6, 0pim
Luca Ciampini --- 17gp 5-3-8, -6, 2pim
Andrew Ryan --- 17gp, 3-5-8, -7, 12pim
Jesse Lussier --- 17gp, 0-8-8, +1, 4pim
Darcy Ashley --- 17gp, 2-4-6, -8 9pim
Austyn Hardie --- 17gp, 2-4-6, -2, 16pim
Matt Murphy --- 17gp, 0-6-6, -5, 8pim
Mackenzie Weegar --- 17gp 0-6-6, -1, 11pim
*Daniel Moynihan --- 17gp, 4-1-5, -6, 23pim
Brendan Duke --- 17gp, 1-4-5, +5, 18pim
*Vincent Watt --- 17gp, 1-2-3, +3, 0pim
Brennan Bailey --- 8gp, 1-1-2, -4, 4pim
*Connor Moynihan --- 17gp, 1-1-2, +3, 0pim
Max Lindsay --- 12gp, 0-2-2, +3, 0pim
*Jacob Jacques --- 9gp, 0-1-1, E, 0pim
Samuel Vigneault --- 2gp, 0-0-0, E, 0pim
*Andrew Shewfelt --- 3gp, 0-0-0, E, 0pim
Zach Fucale --- 17gp 0-0-0, E, 0pim

Zach Fucale --- 17gp, 10-7-0, 2.72, 0.902, 2so

[plaugher]

Wholesale changes for Halifax entering the 2014-15 season. Gone from last year's squad were overagers Brent Andrews, Darcy Ashley, and Brendan Duke. It is probably safe to say that Jonathan Drouin played his last game as a Moosehead as well (as he was gifted to Halifax by Tampa Bay at the start of the season, the chances of history repeating itself this season is somewhere between slim and none -- and closer to none than slim).

But these four are not the only players to be gone. As Halifax can only carry three 20-year-olds, and finished last season with six 19-year-olds that are certainly good enough to play in the league as overagers, some tough decisions had to be made. In the running for overage roster spots were forwards Alexandre Grandmaison, Andrew Ryan, and Luca Ciampini, as well as defensemen Mackenzie Weegar, Austyn Hardie, and Jesse Lussier.

The lead-up to the Midget Draft seemed like the right time to make some moves to hasten the forthcoming rebuild.

First, Halifax moved Luca Ciampini to the Val d'Or Foreurs in return for 17-year-old centreman Guillaume Archambault (4.5/5.5) and a 2014 2nd rounder. Halifax hopes Archambault will be able to contribute as either a third or fourth-line center, hopefully in a shutdown role.

Next, Halifax traded Alexandre Grandmaison, along with a 2015 5th rounder, to the Sherbrooke Phoenix, in exchange for banging winger, 18-year-old Alexandre Caron-Roy (5.0/6.0) who should bring some toughness and grit to the bottom six, and perhaps some powerplay time (as he did chip in 7 goals last season.

Finally, the toughest of the overage decisions was moving offensive defenseman Mackenzie Weegar to the Quebec Remparts for 17-year-old Raphael Maheux (6.0/7.0), the 17th overall pick, and a 2014 3rd rounder. The thought of losing Weegar to Florida's system for nothing was not a risk I wanted to take. Maheux should have no problem transitioning into a top-four role, and should be an anchor for the next couple of years.

With these three moves, Halifax has loaded up quite nicely for the Midget Draft, with five picks in the first three rounds.

#17: Sam Mealey, C, NS Midget (5.0/6.5): Local boy, plays bigger than his size, solid hands, good leader.
#18: Evan Ness, G, NB Midget (5.0/7.0): Fucale's heir apparent, great reflexes and poise.
#33: Hayden Pickering, LW, NS Midget (4.5/5.5): Gaudy midget numbers, athletic, but still raw.
#52: Jacob Heseltine, RD, Newfoundland Midget (5.0/6.5): Solid puckhandling defenseman who will have to do some work on his game in the defensive end
#54: Matt Logan, RW, Newfoundland Midget (5.0/6.5): Great skater and physical, some offensive touch
#72: Keven Cloutier, LD, Longueuil Midget (5.0/6.0): Small and shifty, as to work on his hockey sense
#74: Brent Bouvrette, G, Newfoundland Midget (5.0/6.0): Spectacular numbers on a deep team, lets see how he transitions into Jr.A first.
#92: William Langlais, RD, Sherbrooke Midget (4.5/5.5): Pure stay-at-homer with toughness; must work on discipline.
#108: Carson Sullivan, C, NS Midget (4.5/6.0): Solid in the circle, good offensive awareness, might be a good sleeper.
#126: Philippe Chouinard, RW, Vaudreuil Midget (4.5/5.5): Good size but raw.
#132: Alex Patrick, LW, PEI Midget (4.0/5.0): Tall and lean, great offensive awareness but doesn't have the skill to keep up with it.
#144: Brian O'Hennessy, LW, USNDP (4.5/5.5): Took a flyer on an American that probably will prefer college.
#162: Victor Beaulac, LD, La Tuque Midget (4.0/5.5): Sound positionally, but S-O-F-T. Going to have to work on the toughness and physicality if he's to make an impact.

[plaugher]

Here is the Halifax line-up to start the 2014-15 campaign.

After a couple of weeks' worth of collective breath-holding, the Montreal Canadians did decide to return Zach Fucale back to junior, and he will be the unquestioned number one goalie (probably seeing a sizable workload again). He will be backed up by first-round pick Evan Ness, who Halifax chose over 2013 draft pick Jean-Philippe Brais (who was solid in midget as a 16-year-old last year; if Ness proves not ready, he may get a look).

Defense-wise, Halifax has a very solid top four with overagers Austyn Hardie and Jesse Lussier providing shutdown play, and Matt Murphy and newcoming Raphael Maheux bringing the puck-moving from the backend. Jacob Jacques returns, but will be expected to provide more poise than last year, with rookies Taylor Ford (who had a cup-of-coffee with the team towards the end of the season), Brandon Worthen, and Cavan Fitzgerald jockeying for playing time as the #6.

Up front, Halifax is missing four of their top five scorers from a year ago. Ottawa draft pick Nikolaj Ehlers will lead the way, while third-line fixtures Andrew Ryan and Timo Meier will have to up their game offensively, as they see increased minutes and tougher defenders. Ryan Falkenham returns for his fourth season as the new team captain, while the Moynihan brothers will be given an opportunity in a top-six role to build on their modest performances. Vincent Watt, Andrew Shewfelt and Samuel Vigneault will be thrust into important roles after spending extended periods on the taxi-squad last year, Alexandre Caron-Roy will provide the protection on the fourth-line, and rookies Sam Mealey, Max Fortier, Mark Vokey, and Guillaume Archambault will look to make an offensive statement in likely-limited ice-time.

Combos:
(18) Ehlers / (20) Ryan / (18) Meier
(17) C.Moynihan / (18) D.Moynihan / (19) Falkenham
(18) Watt / (16) Mealey / (17) Fortier
(19) Caron-Roy / (19) Vigneault / (18) Shewfelt
Spares: (18) Archambault, (17) Vokey

(19) Murphy / (20) Lussier
(20) Hardie / (18) Maheux
(17) Ford / (18) Jacques
Spares: (17) Worthen, (18) Fitzgerald

(19) Fucale, (16) Ness