Commentary
On Tuesday, New Brunswick Senator John Wallace addressed Canada's upper chamber on the Memorial Cup victory of the Saint John Sea Dogs. Here is the text of his remarks.
Honourable senators, Sunday, May 29, 2011, is a day that will long be remembered with a tremendous sense of joy, satisfaction and pride in Saint John, New Brunswick.
On that memorable day, the Saint John Sea Dogs, champions of the Quebec Junior A Hockey League, defeated the Mississauga St. Mike's Majors of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League, three to one, to win one of Canada's most heralded and cherished hockey championships, the Memorial Cup.
What a tremendous and momentous victory this was by our Saint John Sea Dogs. This marked the first time in the Memorial Cup's 92-year history that Canada's junior A hockey championship team came from the Maritime provinces - and to think that this was accomplished by the youngest team in this four-team national tournament and in only the Sea Dog's sixth year of existence.
As we are well aware, all successful teams must have great leadership. In the case of the Saint John Sea Dogs, we have without doubt the very best in two Prince Edward Island natives, Head Coach and former Detroit Red Wings star Gerard Gallant, and General Manager Mike Kelly. It is obvious that Coach Gallant listened closely and learned very well from his mentor and Red Wings coach at the time, our very own present day Conservative Senate caucus coach, Senator Jacques Demers.
This Memorial Cup victory by the Sea Dogs is truly wonderful, not only for the City of Saint John but also for our entire province. We are particularly proud of the fact that 10 of the team's players were born and raised in the Maritimes: from New Brunswick - team captain Mike Thomas, Zack Phillips, Pierre Durepos, Kevin Gagné and Saint John's very own Aiden Kelly and Ryan Tesink; from Nova Scotia, Stephen MacAulay, Mike Kirkpatrick and Steven Anthony; and from Prince Edward Island, Jason Cameron. Of course, for all Sea Dogs fans and those who watched the nationally televised coverage of the Memorial Cup, the tremendous talent and skill of the tournament's Most Valuable Player and the pride and joy of St-Jérôme, Quebec, Jonathan Huberdeau, will not be forgotten.
All Saint Johners are so very proud and appreciative of having our city and province represented by such an outstanding group of young men and coaches. Huge congratulations and a sincere thank you as well go out to Sea Dogs President Wayne Long, majority team owner Scott McCain and all other members of the Sea Dogs local ownership group.
What a truly amazing job you have done!
