When the 2011 NHL prospect tournament begins on September 10th, some of the brightest up and coming hockey talent will be on display in Traverse City, Michigan. The tournament, which is in it’s fourteenth season, has seen it’s fair share of superstars. In fact, may of the past participants have gone on to long term successful NHL careers. This years group of prospects offers a mix of size, skill and talent that will give scouts, coaches and fans a lot of interesting match-ups throughout the tournament. Below are a few players to watch, but with just four games to show case skills there will likely be one or two surprises along the way.
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Jamie Oleksiak |
- 6-foot-7, 240 pound defenseman is a mountain of a man who will transition from college hockey to the OHL this season
- Olesak is a big physical defenseman who lacks foot speed.
- The 18 year-old is easily the largest player in this year’s tournament.
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Brendan Smith |
- 6-foot-2, 190 pound defenseman has an outside shot to make the Red Wings this season and at the very least earn a call-up.
- 21 year-old should be a dynamic force for Detroit from the blue line.
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Ryan Johansen |
- 6-foot-3, 196 pound forward was the top scoring threat for the Portland Winter Hawks last season notching 40 goals and 92 points in 63 games.
- The former #4 selection in the 2010 NHL draft is the highest draft pick to play in this years tournament.
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Zack Kassian |
- 6-foot-3, 215 pound forward is a hard working physical player who can dish out some punishing hits.
- The Windsor, Ontario native isn’t much of an offensive threat, but his gritty play could give the opposition more than they can handle.
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Gustav Nyquist |
- Former Hobey Baker finalist could be one of the Red Wings top forwards during the tournament.
- The 5-foot-11, 180 pound winger will need to use his skill and speed to his advantage against some of the larger opposition defensemen.
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Dylan McIlrath |
- 6-foot-5, 205 pound defenseman plays a mean physical game.
- Former 10th over all selection in the 2010 NHL draft has limited offensive potential, but his physical stay at home style is a strong suit.
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Jake Allen |
- 6-foot-2, 175 pound goalie who has great flexibility.
- Allen is known for coming up with big saves at key times and he proved he can handle pressure when he lead Canada to a gold medal during the 2008 under-18 World championship.
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Ryan Murphy |
- Smooth skating offensive defenseman racked up an astounding 26 goals and 70 points last year for Kitchener of the OHL.
- At 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Murphy will need to show he can play against some of the bigger players in this year’s tournament.
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Zack Phillips |
- 6-foot, 180 pound sniper could be the Wild’s top offensive threat.
- Phillips, who is a teammate of Red wings forward, Tomas Jurco, loves to score but is also fairly solid in the defensive zone as well.
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Jack Campbell |
- 6-foot-2, 182 pound netminder is a extremely competitive and has the ability to steal games.
- The former 11th overall selection in the 2010 NHL draft is still considered to be the stars top prospect.
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Luke Adam |
- 6-foot-2, 203 pound forward saw 19 NHL games last year while also posting strong numbers in the AHL (29 goals and 62 points in 57 AHL games).
- Adam projects as a new age power forward who still has some work to do on his defensive game.
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** Editors Note: This list is not ranked in priority order.
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When the 2011 NHL prospect tournament begins on September 10th, some of the brightest up and coming hockey talent will be on display in Traverse City, Michigan. The tournament, which is in it’s fourteenth season, has seen it’s fair share of superstars. In fact, may of the past participants have gone on to long term successful NHL careers. This years group of prospects offers a mix of size, skill and talent that will give scouts, coaches and fans a lot of interesting match-ups throughout the tournament. Below are a few players to watch, but with just four games to show case skills there will likely be one or two surprises along the way.
Edward Rossman said:
Sep 05, 11 at 6:37 pmWill be interesting to see JT Miller at the Traverse City Prospects Camp. I remember JT as being lean and mean as a youngster, so looking to see the quickness and speed as a more stocky player-listed as 200 lbs. Almost always , forwards go to the NHL as quite lean and maybe fill out somewhat in their twenties. In the NHl game quickness is paramount, getting to the puck first. Also, as an overall, general comment, the speed and intensity of these Traverse City games, players essentially in front of 200 coaches and scouts playing for NHL contracts, its a spectacle.
Sarah Lindenau said:
Sep 06, 11 at 2:49 pmYeah JT Miller was someone I considered for this list as was Tomas Jurco and several others. I wanted to keep it short and representative… That being said there are a lot of exciting players that will be part of this tournament this year!