Sea Dogs get new coach less than a month before Memorial Cup

The Saint John Water Dogs are inviting a coach that is new than a month before they compete for the Memorial Cup on home ice.

The club parted ways with head coach Gordie Dwyer after a surprise exit that is first-round the Quebec significant Junior Hockey League playoffs. 

To fill the vacancy, the group has had in a person who understands anything or two about winning championships.

New advisor Gardiner MacDougall has won seven titles that are national 22 seasons with the University of New Brunswick’s men’s hockey program. 

“It’s amazing how a phone call can kind of change your life,” MacDougall told Information Morning Saint John.

He said when he got the call with the job offer, it was a decision that is quick

“[It’s] really a genuine honour that is big a privilege to have this responsibility,” he said.

The club will be hosting the cup on 20 june. The competition features the 3 championship groups from major hockey that is junior from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The Sea Dogs will compete because they’re the hosts.

The president of the Sea Dog Trevor Georgie said the shakeup in coaching speaks to the team’s commitment to win. 

“It’s a human decision, and Gord is a good person, and you don’t like to make those decisions,” he told Information Morning Saint John.

“But when you’re when you’re committed to the group and committed to what’s best for the team, then you’re all in committed to what’s best for the fans in terms of wanting a Memorial Cup here in Saint John, then then you do it.”

Georgie said hiring MacDougall seemed the best move.

“He’s moved a lot of players up to the ranks that are pro where our players have actually those aspirations,” he said.

MacDougall said he did hesitate at first because this is certainly a busy time for recruiting for the Reds, but their assistant coach will likely to be dealing with more work after they had a loss, can be challenging, but it can also be an asset.said”Sometimes so he can have time to coach the Sea Dogs.

He said coaching a new team so close to game time, and adversity can be your friend,” he

. “I think we have to use the adversity as a stone that is stepping become better and, you understand, are able to replicate a foundation for the team.”