PENTICTON, B.C. -- Years of work finally came to fruition for Penticton on Sunday night as more than 100 NHL prospects and five NHL organizations gathered in the city for the Vancouver Canucks' first Young Stars Tournament.
The Canucks' prospects are joined by squads from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks, who will play eight games in the course of five days. Though the event was announced officially in the spring by city officials and the Vancouver Canucks brass, it's a project that has been in the works for years.
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Prospects
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Prospects
NHL prospects flock to Penticton
Monday, 09.13.2010 / 10:06 AM / Prospects
Ryan Pinder - NHL.com Correspondent
Ryan eager to paint a picture for Leafs
Sunday, 09.12.2010 / 5:34 PM / Prospects
Jonas Siegel - NHL.com Correspondent
LONDON, Ont. -- Kenny Ryan is happy to paint.
He'll lay bricks if that's what it takes to make it in the NHL.
"If I'm going to make it in this game, I know that I'm not going to be putting up 50 goals," Ryan laughs. "I mean maybe I will, who knows?"
The Toronto Maple Leafs' prospect and current Windsor Spitfire forward is well educated on General Manager Brian Burke's mantra for building teams and is eager to pitch in whatever role the organization envisions.
"Brian Burke always talks about [how] he's got his top six and his bottom six," Ryan says. "He's got his bricklayers and painters and I think if I'm going to play in this organization, I'm going to be a third line type of guy, a hard-nosed player, get under guys skin and put a couple points up."
He'll lay bricks if that's what it takes to make it in the NHL.
"If I'm going to make it in this game, I know that I'm not going to be putting up 50 goals," Ryan laughs. "I mean maybe I will, who knows?"
The Toronto Maple Leafs' prospect and current Windsor Spitfire forward is well educated on General Manager Brian Burke's mantra for building teams and is eager to pitch in whatever role the organization envisions.
"Brian Burke always talks about [how] he's got his top six and his bottom six," Ryan says. "He's got his bricklayers and painters and I think if I'm going to play in this organization, I'm going to be a third line type of guy, a hard-nosed player, get under guys skin and put a couple points up."
Toronto to host 2011 Top Prospects Game
Thursday, 09.09.2010 / 3:29 PM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
Some of the top prospects for the 2011 Entry Draft will get a chance to show their skills in front of NHL scouts on NHL ice when the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game takes place at the Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The event will be held Jan. 18-19, and will feature 40 of the best draft prospects playing in one of the Canadian Hockey League member leagues -- the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. There will be a skills competition Jan. 18, and an exhibition game the next night. The event returns to Air Canada Centre for the first time since 2000.
"The Canadian Hockey League is very excited to bring the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game back to Toronto where the event first began in 1996," CHL President David Branch said. "This is an exciting opportunity for the NHL's future stars to display their talents on Air Canada Centre ice before a national television audience and in front of one of the largest crowds this game has ever seen, and our appreciation is extended to (GM) Brian Burke and the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization for hosting this prestigious event."
The event will be held Jan. 18-19, and will feature 40 of the best draft prospects playing in one of the Canadian Hockey League member leagues -- the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. There will be a skills competition Jan. 18, and an exhibition game the next night. The event returns to Air Canada Centre for the first time since 2000.
"The Canadian Hockey League is very excited to bring the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game back to Toronto where the event first began in 1996," CHL President David Branch said. "This is an exciting opportunity for the NHL's future stars to display their talents on Air Canada Centre ice before a national television audience and in front of one of the largest crowds this game has ever seen, and our appreciation is extended to (GM) Brian Burke and the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization for hosting this prestigious event."
Hamilton close to fulfilling dream
Saturday, 09.04.2010 / 9:00 AM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, one of the top 2011 draft-eligible prospects vying for an opportunity to one day perform in the NHL, can recall vividly the games within the game when he was a young lad just learning the ropes.
Looking back, Hamilton admits it was just a way to kill time when he wasn't involved in the play.
"I'd skate around and jump over the blue lines and red lines," Hamilton told NHL.com. "I couldn't really remember since I was so young, but my mom actually got it on tape and we watched it a couple of years ago -- it was pretty funny. The game was at one end and I was in the opposite zone jumping over the blue line. I guess I was having fun out there."
Looking back, Hamilton admits it was just a way to kill time when he wasn't involved in the play.
"I'd skate around and jump over the blue lines and red lines," Hamilton told NHL.com. "I couldn't really remember since I was so young, but my mom actually got it on tape and we watched it a couple of years ago -- it was pretty funny. The game was at one end and I was in the opposite zone jumping over the blue line. I guess I was having fun out there."
No question about Nugent-Hopkins' prospects
Thursday, 09.02.2010 / 1:15 PM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
"Everyone knows the Hopkins kid is a top pick. At the Hlinka tournament in Slovakia, he was one of the top players. He's not a hidden secret and he played well (at RDO camp) even thought he was sick. He's got good hockey sense, creates time for himself and he's got the gift." -- Jim Nill
Barring a major setback, he's a sure-fire top-five selection at the 2011 Entry Draft to be held in June in St. Paul, Minn.
As if the 17-year-old native of Burnaby, B.C., doesn't have an impressive enough resume, he wowed those sitting in the stands at the Toronto Maple Leafs' practice facility with his offensive skills, tenaciousness and exceptional acceleration throughout the two-day event.
Despite silver medal, U.S. happy with Hlinka outcome
Wednesday, 08.18.2010 / 2:22 PM / Prospects
Michael Stainkamp - NHL.com Staff Writer
The U.S. team that traveled to Slovakia and the Czech Republic for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament didn't need the extra motivation that came from playing Canada in the final. Getting to the title game was their goal since the beginning of July, when coach Tim Army put the team together.
"We wanted to win the gold medal," Army told NHL.com. "We put together a team that we felt would bring home a gold medal. We felt very, very good about where we were at. We let the kids know why they were with us and what they were going to bring to the team to make us better."
Things didn't work out as planned, as the U.S. lost 1-0 to Canada. The Canadians scored just 1:42 into the game and shut down a U.S. offense that had scored five goals in each of the previous three games.
"We wanted to win the gold medal," Army told NHL.com. "We put together a team that we felt would bring home a gold medal. We felt very, very good about where we were at. We let the kids know why they were with us and what they were going to bring to the team to make us better."
Things didn't work out as planned, as the U.S. lost 1-0 to Canada. The Canadians scored just 1:42 into the game and shut down a U.S. offense that had scored five goals in each of the previous three games.
Canada tops U.S. to win third-straight Hlinka gold
Saturday, 08.14.2010 / 3:30 PM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
Canada made it a hat trick of gold medals at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, topping the U.S., 1-0, in the final, played at Zimny Stadion in Piestany, Slovakia.
The win is Canada's third straight at the elite summer under-18 championship, and its sixth title in the last seven years.
"A great effort, a great feeling," Canada coach George Burnett told Canadian Press. "When you put the time in that these guys have to prepare and go through this whole thing, and to come out on top, it's a pretty special feeling."
The win is Canada's third straight at the elite summer under-18 championship, and its sixth title in the last seven years.
"A great effort, a great feeling," Canada coach George Burnett told Canadian Press. "When you put the time in that these guys have to prepare and go through this whole thing, and to come out on top, it's a pretty special feeling."
U.S., Canada to meet in Hlinka final
Friday, 08.13.2010 / 2:29 PM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
Once again, the U.S. and Canada will meet for supremacy in an international hockey tournament.
Both teams won their semifinal matches Friday at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament to advance to a battle in Saturday's final. It's the fourth time in 2010 the two nations will meet for a gold medal. The U.S. won the World Under-17 Challenge and World Junior Championship in January, while the Canada won Olympic gold in February.
Canada has won two straight Hlinka golds and five of the last six. The last time the U.S. was in the finals was 2006, when the event was called the Under-18 Junior World Cup. The U.S. has won the event only once, in 2003.
The U.S. moved to this year's final in dramatic fashion, rallying from a 3-1 second-period deficit to earn a 5-4 overtime victory against Sweden.
Both teams won their semifinal matches Friday at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament to advance to a battle in Saturday's final. It's the fourth time in 2010 the two nations will meet for a gold medal. The U.S. won the World Under-17 Challenge and World Junior Championship in January, while the Canada won Olympic gold in February.
Canada has won two straight Hlinka golds and five of the last six. The last time the U.S. was in the finals was 2006, when the event was called the Under-18 Junior World Cup. The U.S. has won the event only once, in 2003.
The U.S. moved to this year's final in dramatic fashion, rallying from a 3-1 second-period deficit to earn a 5-4 overtime victory against Sweden.
U.S., Canada onto Hlinka semis
Thursday, 08.12.2010 / 10:16 AM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
"Everyone contributed to the win today. As the game went on, we played extremely well, and our penalty kill and power play were both outstanding."
-- U.S. coach Tim Army
The U.S. got goals from Tanner Sorenson and John Gaudreau in a 1:59 span midway through the second period against Finland to turn a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes into a 3-1 advantage. The U.S. scored twice more in the third period to skate away with a 5-2 victory, in a game played Wednesday at Alcaplast Arena, in Breclav, Czech Republic.
The victory clinched first place in Group A for the U.S.
Hlinka tourney Day 2: Canada wins, U.S. loses
Tuesday, 08.10.2010 / 2:48 PM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
Canada continued to roll Tuesday, while the United States lost in a shootout on the second day of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
Red Deer Rebels center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a hat trick and Sarnia Sting right wing Brett Ritchie scored twice to lead Canada to a 7-3 victory against Switzerland, in Piestany, Slovakia.
The victory against Switzerland came one day after Canada defeated Sweden, 6-3.
Sault Ste. Marie center Daniel Catenacci and Saint John Sea Dogs center Jonathan Huberdeau each had a pair of assists, and Montreal Juniors defenseman Xavier Ouellet had a goal and an assist.
Red Deer Rebels center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a hat trick and Sarnia Sting right wing Brett Ritchie scored twice to lead Canada to a 7-3 victory against Switzerland, in Piestany, Slovakia.
The victory against Switzerland came one day after Canada defeated Sweden, 6-3.
Sault Ste. Marie center Daniel Catenacci and Saint John Sea Dogs center Jonathan Huberdeau each had a pair of assists, and Montreal Juniors defenseman Xavier Ouellet had a goal and an assist.
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