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(PHOTO: Glen Cuthbert/Hamilton Red Wings)

By Glen Cuthbert

Anyone who saw Hamilton Red Wings goaltender Alex Bishop on Monday night must have known something was up, because he couldn't stop smiling.

Bishop, who wasn't dressed that night, had a big secret. He was soon going to be playing Major Junior with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, a big jump for a 17-year-old in his first season of Junior A.  He officially signed Wednesday.

"It's been decided for about a week and a bit," Bishop said. "The offer's been on the table for about a month, and I've been weighing my options and seeing which is going to be best for me long term."

Bishop is the second Red Wing in as many years to get a mid-season promotion to Major Junior, following in the footsteps of Cristiano DiGiacinto, who joined the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League after nine games with the Wings last season. For Bishop, his moment of truth came in just his third game of the season, a 47-save win over the Wellington Dukes at the OJHL Governor's Showcase which saw him named Player of the Game, and helped him be noticed by the Sea Dogs' scouts.

"Saint John saw me at the Governor's Showcase, and they were interested. After a while of talking, they put the offer on the table and said they'd like to take me this year. I talked to my parents, and we had a couple long discussions and weighed the pros and cons, and I feel this is the right call for me."

Part of the attraction for Bishop was a youth movement in Saint John. The Sea Dogs are building a team for the future, anticipating a strong bid to host the Memorial Cup in 2017. Bishop said moving to the next level will be a big jump, but he's ready to make the most of his opportunity.

"I thought that since I'm still young, I'd take the next step now instead of waiting," he said. "'I'll have more time to develop, more time to make a name for myself."

With the move to Major Junior comes a higher level of scrutiny, from scouts and fans alike. Bishop said he doesn't mind being under the microscope. 

"I've always thought of myself as a pressure goalie. (Saint John) is a hockey town, so getting three or four thousand fans per night is going to be surreal."

The Sea Dogs currently sit fifth in the QMJHL for attendance, averaging 3,235 fans per game, though if the fans want to talk to him, some might have a hard time.

"Grade 9 French is all I have, so we'll see how that goes," Bishop chuckled.

Ultimately, he realizes that with a move as big as this one, he has to keep looking and focusing on his dream of one day playing in the NHL.

"I can't have any regrets going through my head, because I can't have anything affecting my play. It has to be all in, or not in at all, so I just decided to take the risk, go all in, and see where it goes. I'm fully invested in this decision. I know that if I play well, it's going to work out for me."

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