Memorial Cup: Huberdeau still pulling for Dogs
WINDSOR, ONT.— Jonathan Huberdeau remembers the Saint John Sea Dogs’ only Memorial Cup championship all too well.
Saint John held a 2-1 lead late in the 2011 tournament final against the Ontario Hockey League’s Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.
Huberdeau broke free, took a pass on a 2-on-1 from linemate Zack Phillips and went forehand to backhand with less than four minutes to play to give his team the assurance that the Canadian Hockey League’s biggest prize would be theirs for the first time in team history.
“He made a really good pass to me and that kind of closed the deal a little bit,” Huberdeau said. “There was still three minutes left but you’re way more confident up two goals than one.”
Huberdeau and his Sea Dogs were a powerhouse in 2010-11, finishing the regular season a league-best 58-7-3 before cruising their way to the Quebec junior championship.
Saint John was coached by the Vegas Golden Knights’ Gerard Gallant that season, and the roster was deep in NHL prospects.
Huberdeau was selected third overall by Florida in 2011. Defenceman Nathan Beaulieu went 17th to Montreal, while Phillips went to Minnesota at No. 28. Winger Tomas Jurco went in the second round, 35th to Detroit.
Soon-to-be NHL blue liners Eric Gelinas and Simon Despres were drafted the previous year.
“We had a special team, we knew we had a good chance to win and that’s what we did,” Huberdeau said. “That was a really fun time. Even now we still hang out with each other, that says a lot.”
Saint John is making its third appearance at a Memorial Cup this season after breezing through the Quebec league playoffs. They will play the OHL’s Erie Otters in the semifinal on Friday.
Huberdeau has continued to follow the Sea Dogs since turning pro in 2012 and made it out to a few home dates in the post-season to support the organization he spent parts of four seasons playing for. “I’m watching them a lot,” he said. With time to think about his junior career, and what his Sea Dogs accomplished, he realizes how great that 2010-11 season was.
“The Memorial Cup is what you want to win when you play junior and to win it is what stands out from 2011,” Huberdeau said. “I think it was special. When you get to hoist the trophy over your head it’s a special moment and I’ll always remember it.”