Memorial Cup Preview: Why I like the Saint John Sea Dogs to repeat.

The Saint John Sea Dogs will head into this weekend as the favorite to win their 2nd consecutive Memorial Cup. If they do, they will become just the 9th team in the 94 year history of the tournament to do so, and could arguably be one of the greatest major junior teams ever assembled. This will obviously depend on the club actually winning as well as the number of players on their roster who go on to play in the NHL in the years to come. You never know for sure if a top prospect in junior will go on to star at the world’s highest level, but there a lot of people who believe that many of the Sea Dogs of today will go on to the NHL in the future.

Up front, the Dogs are loaded. They are led by captain Jonathan Huberdeau, the 3rd overall pick in last year’s draft by the Florida Panthers.

Huberdeau had 72 points in just 37 games this year as he suffered a broken ankle and also went to star for Team Canada at the World Junior tournament. He is as dangerous as they come and was the MVP of last year’s Memorial Cup.

Charlie Coyle joined the club after being one of Team USA’s best players at the World Jr’s. He had 38 pts in 23 games with Saint John and tied for the league scoring lead in the playoffs with 34 pts. He was a 1st rd pick in 2010 of the San Jose Sharks but was dealt to the Minnesota Wild as a key piece in the Brent Burns deal.

Zack Phillips of Fredericton, NB was the 28th overall pick by the Minnesota Wild in the 2011 Entry Draft. The sniper had 80 points in the regular season and another 32 in the playoffs- good for 2nd behind teammates Coyle and Stanislav Galiev. He is a serious threat to score everytime he is on the ice as he has a scorching wrist shot and is an excellent passer as well.

Tomas Jurco is a dangerous sniper who popped in 30 goals in only 48 regular season games and added another 13 in the playoffs. The Detroit Red Wings scouting is probably the best in the league and they snatched Jurco up with the 35th pick in last year’s draft.

After an injury plagued season, Stanislav Galiev tied Charlie Coyle for the playoff scoring lead with 34pts. The Washington Capitals prospect could be the Dogs hottest player heading into the tournament this weekend as he lit up the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL final.

Other key threats at forward are 47 goal man Danick Gauthier, a deadly sniper who can score from just about anywhere. Ryan Tesink and Stephen MacAuley are balance forwards who play solid two-way games and aren’t afraid to mix it up.

On defense, the Sea Dogs are very steady and reliable. Kevin Gagne, Pierre Durepos, Jason Seed and Ian Saab can be counted on to hold the fort and chip in with some offense. Saint John however, is anchored by Charles Olivier Roussel, a 2009 Nashville Predators pick and Nathan Beaulieu.

Beaulieu was the 17th overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He also played for Canada at the World Jr.’s this past season. He is the complete package on defense, combining great offensive instincts with sound defensive play. He is also not afraid to get physical, wracking up 100 PIM this year.

In goal,  Matthieu Corbeil has been as solid as they come, going 16-0-1 with a 2.18 GAA and a .917  Save Percentage. He was a 4th round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010.

I have watched the Sea Dogs in person a number of times this season, and I think they are about as good as any junior team I have ever seen. Their depth is unequalled and combined with just 1 OT loss during the playoffs, they are well rested while remaining game sharp at the same time.

They are my pick to win the 2012 Memroial Cup.

Any questions or comments, please feel free to post them to the article or send them to me on Twitter @TheRealJay77. I would love to hear what you think, or your predictions for the tournament.