The Left Wing Lock

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The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t played in the NHL Prospect Tournament since the tournament began in 1998 with just a four team field. When the Buffalo Sabres dropped out this year, the Blackhawks management jumped at the chance to return to the tourney which has grown in both size and reputation over the past 17 years. Now featuring a field of eight NHL teams, the tourney showcases many of the top prospects across the NHL year in and year out and is a draw for fans and hockey scouts at every level. Much has changed from the tournaments early years which often featured more fights than actual hockey so Chicago will need to field a strong team of prospects to be competitive.

Among the players the Blackhawks could bring to 2015 tournament include:

• Teuvo Teravainen – The former captain of the 2014 gold winning WJC Finnish team has split time with Rockford of the AHL and the NHL. The skilled center is an explosive skater with outstanding hockey sense and skill to match. He is easily the Blackhawks top prospect.
• Ryan Hartman – The 5-foot-11, 181 pound right wing also a captained WJC gold winning team in the 2013 US team. Hartman is a physical two-way forward who spent two seasons with Plymouth of the OHL before joining Rockford.
• Ville Pokka – The 5-foot-11, 200 pound defenseman plays an offensive game. Pokka is an excellent skater who played his first full season in North America this year.
• Stephen Johns – The 6-foot-4, 233 pound defenseman plays a steady stay at home game. The Wampum, PA native is a hard hitting physical blueliner who sometimes gets out of position looking for the big hit.
• Trevor van Riemsdyk – The 6-foot-2, 185 pound defenseman signed as a college free agent with the Blackhawks last year. The 23 year-old made the Chicago roster out of training camp this season but played in just 18 NHL games before fracturing his leg. He is a smooth skating offensive defenseman who is solid in both ends of the rink.