Even before his Calder Trophy-winning season began, Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes was one of several promising players looking to make his mark at the annual Traverse City Prospects tournament in Michigan last September.
Needless to say, he accomplished that goal.
"Besides being a short conditioning camp, it was sort of my first taste of the next level and it's fun to go there and get to know the people in the organization and at the same time have that competition feeling when you're playing in the tournament," Skinner told NHL.com. "I think for the players, it's a great opportunity to show your stuff to management and the people in the organization. For me personally, it was good preparation heading into (training) camp to sort of get into game shape."
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Prospects
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Prospects
Can Skinner's Traverse City feat be duplicated?
Friday, 09.09.2011 / 12:05 PM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Nugent-Hopkins to debut at Young Stars Tournament
Friday, 09.09.2011 / 10:06 AM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
When Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first pick of the 2011 Entry Draft, plays his first competitive game as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, it will be in Penticton, B.C., at the 2011 Young Stars Tournament.
Nugent-Hopkins is one of seven first-round picks that will take to the ice at this year's prospect event, which will be held Sept. 11-15, and feature the best prospects from five teams -- the Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks, who will be the host team for the event.
"We are excited to host the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament in Penticton again this year," said Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis. "The city of Penticton showed tremendous support for last year's event and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to this great hockey city."
Nugent-Hopkins is one of seven first-round picks that will take to the ice at this year's prospect event, which will be held Sept. 11-15, and feature the best prospects from five teams -- the Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks, who will be the host team for the event.
"We are excited to host the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament in Penticton again this year," said Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis. "The city of Penticton showed tremendous support for last year's event and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to this great hockey city."
Oshawa plays host to four-team prospect tourney
Friday, 09.09.2011 / 9:53 AM / Prospects
NHL.com
Top prospects from the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs will descend upon Oshawa, Ontario, on Sept. 10 to take part in a four-day, round-robin tournament that's hosted by the Leafs at General Motors Centre.
Matt Frattin, who Leafs GM Brian Burke believes can compete for a roster spot on the big club, headlines the list of 25 players who will represent the host club. Frattin was the team's second-round pick in 2007 and could be in a battle with Nazem Kadri and Joe Colborne for that roster spot.
"If you notice, we've left one spot open," Burke said last week. "We want some competition for one of the forward spots. Whether that's Matt Frattin or Nazem Kadri or Joe Colborne or whomever, we do want to have some competition open for a spot."
Matt Frattin, who Leafs GM Brian Burke believes can compete for a roster spot on the big club, headlines the list of 25 players who will represent the host club. Frattin was the team's second-round pick in 2007 and could be in a battle with Nazem Kadri and Joe Colborne for that roster spot.
"If you notice, we've left one spot open," Burke said last week. "We want some competition for one of the forward spots. Whether that's Matt Frattin or Nazem Kadri or Joe Colborne or whomever, we do want to have some competition open for a spot."
Panthers, Lightning, Predators set for rookie tourney
Thursday, 09.08.2011 / 10:04 AM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Florida rookie tournament schedule
- Sept. 11 – Tampa Bay vs. Florida, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 12 – Tampa Bay vs. Nashville, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 13 – Nashville vs. Florida, 12 p.m.
- Sept. 14 – Tampa Bay vs. Florida, 12 p.m.
"The rookie tournament provides our staff with a great opportunity to evaluate the growth and development of our prospects," Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon said. "Our prospects will get the opportunity to compete in game situations and learn about the commitment and training that is necessary to play at the NHL level. We look forward to seeing all our fans at the rookie camp games as we prepare for the upcoming season."
Locke looks to turn career year into NHL opportunity
Saturday, 09.03.2011 / 11:05 AM / Prospects
Tal Pinchevsky - NHL.com Staff Writer
The average fan probably didn't hear much about it, but Corey Locke's 2010-11 season may have rivaled that of anyone in hockey.
The 27-year-old veteran of the American Hockey League played in his fourth straight AHL All-Star Game before claiming the league scoring title and the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP. With the Binghamton Senators, he also won his second Calder Cup before getting married a month later in Burlington, Ontario. Perhaps most importantly, Locke played five games with the big club in Ottawa, registering his first NHL point.
The 27-year-old veteran of the American Hockey League played in his fourth straight AHL All-Star Game before claiming the league scoring title and the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP. With the Binghamton Senators, he also won his second Calder Cup before getting married a month later in Burlington, Ontario. Perhaps most importantly, Locke played five games with the big club in Ottawa, registering his first NHL point.
Barrie proud of defensive growth
Friday, 09.02.2011 / 2:43 PM / Prospects
Rick Sadowski - NHL.com Correspondent
"I want to make the team. I feel this is the first year where I have a legitimate shot to make the team, and that's really exciting for me. My goal is to go in and play like I can and show these guys that I deserve to be there." -- Tyson Barrie
As a defenseman, this presented a slight problem.
"I was just terrible defensively," Barrie told NHL.com. "I was a riverboat gambler; I took a lot of chances. But I've really worked on that part of my game since then and I'm going to try and keep improving."
Now 20 years old and one of the Colorado Avalanche's prized prospects, Barrie is one of 19 defensemen listed on the team's 54-man roster for training camp, which opens Sept. 16.
Diabetes links Domi's son to legend Clarke
Thursday, 09.01.2011 / 1:27 PM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
"I've worn it (No. 16) the past few years because of Bob Clarke. I don't know him, but a few years ago I watched a show on TV about him and how he managed to play hockey despite having Type I diabetes." -- Max Domi
He could have picked No. 28, the number his father, Tie, wore with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1995 to 2006. Or 13, the number he wore as a youngster because Mats Sundin was one of his favorite players. Or 93 for Doug Gilmour, another of his father's well-known former teammates.
Instead, Domi opted for No. 16, in honor of Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke.
High praise for top 2012 draft prospect Yakupov
Wednesday, 08.24.2011 / 4:13 PM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
"He's a dominant player and went to the 2011 World Under-18s and was dominant there. He would have arguably been a top-five pick in last year's draft, so he's got all those elements." -- NHL Network analyst Craig Button
Nail Yakupov, who was one of 36 top 2012 prospects on the ice for last week's NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp in Etobicoke, Ont., is that good -- and during an interview with The Team 1260 in Edmonton on Wednesday, Button put the Russian speedster in some pretty special company.
"When you watch him, I don't think there's one singular player that you would say, 'Wow, that's a guy he could be just like,'" Button said. "But his ability to maneuver out of traffic and out of the corners from tight areas reminds you of Pavel Datsyuk. When you watch him explode in his skating, he reminds you of Pavel Bure."
Tugnutt excited for Hockey Canada challenge
Monday, 08.22.2011 / 4:47 PM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Former goalie Ron Tugnutt believes cracking an NHL lineup today is a lot tougher than when he first entered the League.
Coming from a man who played for four different teams spanning eight seasons before experiencing a turnaround with the Ottawa Senators in 1996-97, is certainly telling.
"It's tougher for young goalies today because, besides the fact there are only two goalies on a team, it's how long these goalies are playing now," Tugnutt told NHL.com. "They're playing into their 40's. If you think about it, the way they stay in shape, that's also made it tougher on young goalies."
Coming from a man who played for four different teams spanning eight seasons before experiencing a turnaround with the Ottawa Senators in 1996-97, is certainly telling.
"It's tougher for young goalies today because, besides the fact there are only two goalies on a team, it's how long these goalies are playing now," Tugnutt told NHL.com. "They're playing into their 40's. If you think about it, the way they stay in shape, that's also made it tougher on young goalies."
Kyle Palmieri eager to make NHL jump
Tuesday, 08.16.2011 / 9:48 AM / Prospects
Lindsay Kramer - NHL.com Correspondent
"Obviously, if there's a spot open in training camp, it will be me competing with a couple of guys. If there's a spot open, I'm going to do my best to get there." -- Kyle Palmieri
It turns out that the abrupt ending may have only been the beginning of something big. And based on Palmieri's hectic previous 12 months, he's needed every deep breath he could draw.
See that "Help Wanted" sign Anaheim has hanging on one of its wing spots? The finally refreshed Palmieri might just have the burst to grab it sooner than most expected.
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