Sea Dogs head coach Gardiner MacDougall is welcomed by GM Trevor Georgie. (Image from Tim Herd/Acadia Broadcasting)
The Memorial Cup tournament is now set.
The four teams in the tournament are the Saint John Sea Dogs, Edmonton Oil Kings, Hamilton Bulldogs, and Shawinigan Cataractes.
Over the weekend, the four head coaches had the chance to speak with reporters and share their thoughts about the tournament.
Sea Dogs interim head coach, Gardiner MacDougall, has been preparing with the team for a month.
MacDougall replaced Gordie Dwyer as head coach after the Sea Dogs were eliminated in round one of the QMJHL playoffs.
He is also the head coach of the UNB’s men’s hockey team and will return to that role after the tournament.
During the news conference with the four coaches, MacDougall mentioned that he is looking forward to the tournament and the opportunity to represent Saint John on the national stage.
“It’s probably the most prestigious amateur (hockey) tournament in the world, and I’ve been a big fan of it for many, many years and to get the opportunity to be part of it, and try and make a difference with our group is life time,” he said.
MacDougall added that he believes the city of Saint John has done an outstanding job delivering as the host city.
“What Saint John has done as the host here, on the ice, and off the ice, and the caliber of the teams here, I think it’s going to be long nights for coaches, but it’s going to be great nights for fans.”
MacDougall has led the UNB’s men’s hockey program since 2000, winning seven national titles since the 2006-07 season.
"The best way to be successful is to focus on that one game."
Hear from Brad Lauer, Gardiner MacDougall, Jay McKee and Daniel Renaud at the coaches press conference from the 2022 #MemorialCup presented by @KiaCanada ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6jDppgDIxI
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 18, 2022
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