2019 NHL Prospect Tournament returns to Traverse City

DETROIT -Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the Red Wings will host their annual NHL Prospect Tournament at Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City, Mich., in September 2019. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been added to the eight-team pool, joining the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues and Red Wings.

Traverse City's Centre Ice Arena will host the tournament for its 21st season next September. Over the tournament's history, nearly 600 players have moved on to play in at least one NHL game, including
Dennis Cholowski
,
Christoffer Ehn
,
Filip Hronek
,
Michael Rasmussen
and
Libor Sulak
, who all earned spots on Detroit's 2018-19 opening-night roster after skating at the Prospect Tournament over the past two seasons. The Blue Jackets won the Matthew Wuest Memorial Cup in 2018, defeating the Red Wings, who have made four appearances in the championship game in the last six years.
The tournament divides the eight-team field into two four-team divisions. Teams will play each team in their division during the round robin before a crossover on the final day of the tournament, capped off with the first-place finishers in each division meeting for the championship on the final day of the tournament. A complete tournament schedule and rosters for each team will be released at a later date.
History of NHL Prospect Tournament Champions
2018 - Columbus Blue Jackets 2007 - New York Rangers
2017 - Chicago Blackhawks 2006 - Columbus Blue Jackets
2016 - Carolina Hurricanes 2005 - Columbus Blue Jackets
2015 - Columbus Blue Jackets 2004 - St. Louis Blues
2014 - Columbus Blue Jackets 2003 - Minnesota Wild
2013 - Detroit Red Wings 2002 - Washington Capitals
2011 - Buffalo Sabres 2001 - St. Louis Blues
2010 - Minnesota Wild 2000 - St. Louis Blues
2009 - Carolina Hurricanes 1999 - St. Louis Blues
2008 - Dallas Stars 1998 - Nashville Predators