Smallman had two power-play goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in the Saint John Sea Dogs’ 5-1 win over Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Wednesday. The victory gave Saint John a four-game sweep.
Smallman described the outcome as an amazing ending to his career in the Q. It’s the Sea Dogs’ first title since back-to-back wins in 2011 and 2012.
“It’s almost a fairy-tale ending for my junior career, but it is a little incomplete,” he added. The Sea Dogs now represent the QMJHL in the Memorial Cup, and open the four-team Canadian major junior hockey championship tournament against the host Windsor Spitfires on May 18. The yet-to-be-determined champions of the Ontario and Western leagues will also compete.
“Maybe if I get the Memorial Cup then it would be a real fairy-tale ending for me,” said Smallman, who logged five full seasons with Saint John – the last two as captain. He was one of three overage players this season.
“Spencer has been a great captain, a great leader, a very unselfish team-oriented player, but also a very underrated player,” said Saint John head coach Danny Flynn. “There are guys that know the game well; that know how to play on both sides of the puck, know how to play the game, and he’s one of those guys.
“Besides his leadership, besides his character, he’s a top two-line guy, he’s a PP (power play) guy, he’s a PK (penalty killing) guy, he’s a last-minute guy. He probably plays more than any forward we have on our team because he’s that important.”
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NHL pick
Smallman signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in March after being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but he remains focused on the present.
“I’m just trying to live in the moment and make the most of my time with the teammates I’ve played with here for so long, and try to do something special with them,” said the son of Stacy and Sarah Smallman of New Maryland, N.B.
Stacy, the son of Frank and Marlene Smallman of Unionvale, played junior A hockey with the Summerside Western Capitals and university with the UNB Varsity Reds. Sarah is the daughter of Lorne and Linda O’Halloran of O’Leary.
“You hear from guys who graduate through junior and they always say, ‘Enjoy your time in junior, and never look past it,’ so I’m kind of taking their advice on that,” said Smallman.
The Sea Dogs outscored the Armada 17-4 in their championship series sweep. The Sea Dogs road to the President’s Cup included sweeps of Rimouski and Val d-Or, and a six-game series win over Chicoutimi.
“To be with the same organization for five years, and being there through the tough rebuilding times, certainly makes winning more rewarding,” Smallman commented.
Smallman credited the team’s coaching staff for their knowledge of opponents, and for preparing the Sea Dogs for the systems the opposing teams employed. He described the Sea Dogs’ league-leading penalty kill and power-play records as coaching stats.
Smallman, who was fourth on his team in goals scored (30) during the regular season, second in assists (49) and third in points, suggests his confidence level and speed are areas where his game improved the most over his final season of junior.
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Numbers
Spencer Smallman’s stats with Sea Dogs:
Regular Season
GP G A Pts PIM
2012-13 – 42 2 4 6 14
2013-14 – 66 12 23 35 42
2014-15 – 66 23 33 56 73
2015-16 – 59 19 28 47 59
2016-17 – 60 30 49 79 35
Playoffs
GP G A Pts PIM
2012-13 – 4 0 0 0 0
2014-15 – 5 1 3 4 4
2015-16 – 17 3 16 19 12
2016-17 – 18 11 11 22 2
Sports Editor's Note: A story on Sea Dogs defenceman Bailey Webster of Kelvin Grove will appear in an upcoming edition..
