ROUYN-NORANDA, Que. — The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies didn't have far to look for a template to victory in the Memorial Cup final.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champs fell behind 2-0 in Sunday’s title game to the host Halifax Mooseheads. They scored four straight goals to win 4-2 and capture the franchise’s first Memorial Cup.
In Friday’s semifinal, the Huskies fell behind 2-1 and 3-2 to the Guelph Storm but went to the third tied 3-3.
Sunday’s championship was knotted at two heading to the final 20 minutes.
“We weren’t worried at all. We stayed calm,” Dobson said noting the importance of having gone through a similar game two days earlier. “We talked about that in the room – just go do the same thing we did on Friday night on Sunday.”
Peter Abbandonato scored the winner three minutes into Sunday’s third period and Vincent Marleau added an insurance goal two minutes later.
Dobson said there are similarities between the two teams that he has won championships with. They both have depth at all positions, and strong bonds were formed inside both dressing rooms.
“You need that team chemistry to win championships.”
Dobson played 39 minutes in the 60-minute semifinal and was on the ice for 36 more minutes in the championship game. He went to camps with the NHL’s New York Islanders and Team Canada junior squad. He played 81 major junior games during the regular season, playoffs and Memorial Cup plus five more while wearing the Maple Leaf during the world juniors in Vancouver.
“It’s been a real busy last few days, busy last year, so mentally and physically I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little drained,” he said.
Dobson and his Huskies teammates returned to the northern Quebec city on Monday, and there was a celebration in the community Tuesday. The 19-year-old rearguard returned home on Wednesday.
He is looking forward to some downtime with family and friends before getting back to training. He said there’s been a lot of messages from people across the province during the season.
“I can’t thank them enough for all their support.”
Related links:
• Two-time Memorial Cup champion Noah Dobson proud of P.E.I. roots
• Dobson excited for opportunity to play for second Memorial Cup tonight
• IN PHOTOS: Noah Dobson from minor hockey to NHL draft
Biography
Getting to know Noah Dobson.
Who – A defenceman with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Personal – Dobson is a 19-year-old Summerside native. He is six-foot-three and 185 pounds.
Drafts – Dobson was selected sixth overall by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan during the 2016 QMJHL draft in Charlottetown. He was taken 12th overall by the New York Islanders at the 2018 NHL draft in Dallas.
Trade – The Titan jumpstarted its rebuild by trading Dobson to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Jan. 6. The return was Chicoutimi’s first- and second-round picks in 2019, Chicoutimi’s first in 2020 and Acadie-Bathurst’s first in 2021 (previously acquired).
Did you know – Dobson won the MVP of the QMJHL playoffs this season with the Huskies and was named to the all-star team while helping his teams win the past two Memorial Cups.
Junior statistics
Season GP G A Pts.
2016-17 63 7 19 26
2017-18 67 17 52 69
2018-19 56 15 37 52
