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Traverse City (+ Kitchener) Prospect Tournament

September 4, 2009, 10:04 AM ET [ Comments]
Julie Robenhymer
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In case you missed it on my twitter feed...I'm going to Traverse City this weekend for the NHL Prospects Tournament featuring future NHL studs from Carolina, Atlanta, Columbus, Minnesota, Dallas, St. Louis, Detroit and the NY Rangers. I am also singing the praises of Priceline.com and the ridiculous deal they got me on my flight and hotel. It wasn't LIKE getting my flight for half price and my hotel for free...it WAS getting my flight for half price and hotel for free!! So, I highly suggest you utilize their services for all your travel needs especially when your travel dates and times are flexible.


no one deals like we do!


But now...to the real purpose of this blog...the prospects!!

Click on the appropriate team below if you'd like to see a complete roster:

Atlanta Thrashers

Carolina Hurricanes

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars Champions of last years tournament

Detroit Red Wings – not released yet

Minnesota Wild

New York Rangers

St. Louis Blues

These are draftees, signees and a few players on Amateur Tryout Contracts for good measure and is truly a prospect tournament. None of the players have spent more than one full season in the AHL. Teams are divided into Eastern and Western divisions (Detroit has joined the Eastern teams) and play a round robin and are then seeded and matched up against the other division for the 7th place game, 5th place, 3rd place and championship game.

Here's a good article from NHL.com on the history and success of this tournament if you're interested in learning more...

I'm quite excited to see these guys simply because 90% of them are from Canadian Juniors and I don't ever get to see them play and am eager to move past the scouting reports and see what they've got for myself. (In case you don't know, NCAA prospects are not allowed to participate in rookie camps or tournaments like this or else they will lose their NCAA eligibility...which is different from development camps held in the summer in which they are able to pay their own way should they choose to do so)

Here are some guys I'm paying special attention to:

Evander Kane – ATL – Number 4 pick in this year's draft...need I explain more?

Jamie McBain – CAR – A Hobey Baker semi-finalist and for the first half of the season, I thought he could win it. Plays well in every situation and can be lethal from the blueline. I'm curious to see if he can make a strong case for himself in training camp.

Zach Boychuck, Brandon Sutter & Drayson Bowman – CAR – The offensive wave of the future in Carolina. I've heard lots about them and I'd like to see what they've got!

John Moore – CBJ – I've been told by Eric Smith that I have to watch this kid...so I will :)

Jamie Benn – DAL- He had a fantastic season with Kelowna and looks ready to make an impact. I remember him from WJCs and am excited to see what he can bring to the next level.

Richard Bachman – DAL – He was one of very few bright spots at Colorado College last year...will it carry over?

Brad Miller – DAL – Switched from forward to defense mid-season and consequently had his best season at the University of North Dakota...plus he's an internet sensation!



Tyler Cuma – MIN – A shut down defenseman with lots of potential who could make a strong campaign in training camp.

Trevor Glass & Michael Del Zotto – NYR – Apparently these guys are the defense of the future in New York and I'd like to see what they're all about.

Chad Johnson – NYR – Surprised a lot of people last season by being named a Hobey Baker semi-finalist out of the University of Alaska – Fairbanks in a very strong year for goalies...he's a big part of the reason they made the playoffs and advanced to the CCHA semis.

Aaron Palushaj – STL – Another Hobey Baker semi-finalist who was a big part of Michigan's offense. Still a bit surprised he left after his sophomore season...

Alex Pietrangelo – STL- This guy is my kind of defenseman...big, strong and in your face with an ability to move the puck. We saw the potential he had last year and with another year under his belt...I don't think he'll be returning to Niagara.

Of course, I'm hoping other players will make their presence known and make me say, “Who was that?!” This is their time to strut their stuff and I'd be surprised if they didn't take full advantage of it.

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There is another rookie tournament taking place in Kitchener featuring future NHL studs from
Boston, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Toronto. I'll be keeping an eye on this tournament as well...again, I don't know much about the junior players other than what I've heard but I do know the Leafs Rookie team has some serious bite to it. Christian Hanson, Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stalberg are all NCAA studs and all are not only looking to crack the lineup, but have a legitimate chance to do so. Throw in Jonas Gustavsson and that's the start of an older, bigger, stronger, more experienced and ready to kick butt and take names rookie lineup and I, for one, am very interested to see what they can do.

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So...If you're curious about a certain player in Traverse City, let me know and I'll do my best to give you my thoughts once I get to see them in action on Sunday.

Till then!

Julie

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