Rimouski Océanic’s Scott Oke shelves friendships to face Sea Dogs for President’s Cup

Scott Oke won a MasterCard Memorial Cup with the Saint John Sea Dogs but is now doing everything in his power to prevent a repeat.

That was in the past, this is the present. Last Dec. 29, Oke was traded to the Rimouski Océanic when the Sea Dogs opted to add draft picks so they can restock the pantry this summer after much of their nucleus graduates. Little did anyone know the two teams would end up playing for the President's Cup and a ticket to Shawinigan for the championship.

"Saint John asked me about being traded so I had a feeling I was going to be moved." Oke said.

"Leaving Saint John and my Sea Dogs teammates was difficult at first but playing in Rimouski for the Oceanic has been a great experience," Oke said. "I know all the guys on their team so it should be a lot fun playing against them and a real competitive series."

The Sea Dogs dealt Oke, 16-year-old prospect Maxime Gravel, along with a third-round choice that originally belonged to the Chicoutimi é. The Oceanic also acquired Chicoutimi's third round pick at this summer's QMJHL Draft. In return the Sea Dogs picked up a first-rounder that had belonged to the Moncton Wildcats and Acadie-Bathurst's seventh-round choice.

Rimouski made the move to acquire Oke for his QMJHL playoff and Memorial Cup experience. They added some size as well with Oke standing 6' 3" and tipping the scales at 190 pounds.

Power of positive thinking

The St. Lambert, Que., native registered 13 goals and 38 points this season. Oke has played his best hockey of the year in the post season notching seven goals in 17 playoff contests.

"My experience in last playoffs and Memorial Cup has taught me to always stay positive, work through any adversity and encourage my teammates to never get down on themselves." Oke explained.

This series should be very entertaining as Saint John and Rimouski like to score goals and have the offensive weapons to make this an exciting series.

The Sea Dogs feature three of the top five playoff scorers with Minnesota Wild prospects Charlie Coyle (14 goals and 29 points) and Zack Phillips (seven goals and 27 points) and Washington Capitals third-rounder Stanislav Galiev (12 goals and 26 points).

Rimouski has several skilled skaters of its own starting with Alexandre Mallet (nine goals, 22 points) and Alex Belzile (6 goals and 21 points). Oceanic defenceman Jérôme Gauthier-Leduc is the top-scoring blueliner in the playoffs with eight goals and 15 points.

"I expect this series to be really fast and exciting with a lot of offense," Oke said.

The 19 year old has already received a couple of friendly texts from his old mates in Saint John discussing the series but expects his phone to heat up once the puck is dropped.

"Everybody is competitive and wants to win," Oke said. We all know that a trip to the Memorial Cup is on the line for the winner of the series. My plan is to save my energy for the ice and play my game."

Mike Beasley is a QMJHL columnist for Buzzing The Net.