The Left Wing Lock

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The Detroit Red Wings have invited seven free agents to their annual prospects tournament in Traverse City beginning Sept. 10.

Among those auditioning for contracts are former Red Wings draft choices Nick Oslund and Bryan Rufenach, who are unlikely to be signed by the August 15th deadline for college prospects. Additional tryouts will be announced when the main training camp roster is finalized.

Following is a review of the preliminary invitees (listed alphabetically).

• Adam Estoclet – A 6-foot-2, 172 pound forward wrapped up his collegiate career earlier this Spring while attending … Continue Reading
  

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The Detroit Red Wings have announced their 2011 roster for the NHL prospect tournament at Centre I.C.E. arena in Traverse City, MI. The team features  six of the Red Wings 9 draft Choices from earlier this summer including Alan Quine, Marek Tvordan, Tomas Jurco, Ryan Sproul, Xavier Ouellet, and Richard Nedomlel. Top prospect Brenden Smith is also slated to play and will likely assume a leadership role during the tournament as is slick Swedish forward Gustav Nyquist. The wings have also invited … Continue Reading

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The New York Rangers have announced their 2011 roster for the NHL prospect tournament at Centre I.C.E. arena in Traverse City, MI. The team features the Rangers first round draft picks from the past two years – Dylan McIlrath (2010) and J.T. Miller (2011). Also included is defenseman Tim Erixon who was Calgary’s first round pick in 2009 but was aquired this offseason in a minor trade. Other notables include Christian Thomas, the son of former Red Wing Steve Thomas and University of Michigan alum Carl Hagelin. In addition to the drafted/ contracted players there are four free … Continue Reading

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Nearly 200 NHL prospect tournament alumni have played at least one game in the NHL. A total of 110 players have seen at least 100 NHL games and just 12 players have played 500 or more games in the NHL. Below is the breakdown of those twelve players. Among the goalie alumni, the top five includes Kari Lehtonen (216), Pascal Leclaire (159), Steve Mason (119), Curtis Sanford (108), and Michael Leighton (103).

Player Name
Tournament participation
Games Played

J.P. Dumont… Continue Reading

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Since it’s inception in 1998, the NHL Prospect Tournament has helped launch the careers of many current NHL players. Nearly 300 former tournament players have gone on to play at least one NHL game and 12 players have already played in 500 or more NHL games.

Over it’s 12 year history, the tournament has been a place where fans, scouts and management can get the first glimpses of up and coming talent. Some big names have played in the tournament over the years and with the recent expansion to eight prospect teams more … Continue Reading

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The Dallas Stars have announced their 2011 roster for the NHL prospect tournament at Centre I.C.E. arena in Traverse City, MI. The team features the Stars first round draft picks from the past three years – Scott Glennie (2009), Jack Campbell (2010), and Jamie Oleksiak (2011). In addition to the drafted/ contract players there are seven free agents trying out for a contract with Dallas.

This year’s Tournament is scheduled from September 10 – 14 and will feature teams from Dallas, Detroit, Columbus, Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota, … Continue Reading

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The Madison Square Garden Network has confirmed that the network will broadcast all New York Ranger prospect games. The broadcast is expected to reach approximately 12 million subscribers. No other broadcast or internet feed has been announced but stay tuned to the LWL as more details emerge. The confirmed schedule of broadcasts include:

• September 10 7:00 pm: NY Rangers Vs. St. Louis
• September 11 6:00 pm: NY Rangers Vs. Dallas Stars
• September 13 3:30 pm: NY Rangers Vs. Carolina Hurricanes
• September 14 TBD depending on final tournament standings

* Editors note that … Continue Reading

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Despite announcing his retirement, Chris Osgood will still be expected to provide at least one more big save for the Red Wings. This time, however, that save won’t be on the ice but rather helping to rebuild the confidence of goalie Thomas McCollum.

Much is expected from the 21 year-old McCollum as he enters his third season as a professional. Unfortunately his lack of development last season left the Red Wings with few options other than to re-sign Joey MacDonald earlier this month. While the move adds depth to … Continue Reading

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Quitting was never an option for Joel Ward.

 After years of toiling in the minors, the 29-year-old forward is a key contributor with the Nashville Predators. Ward’s responsible defensive game helped him land an NHL job, and his offensive contributions – 30 goals and 69 points in the past two seasons – have cemented it.

Despite his success with the Predators, it wasn’t long ago that the 6-foot-1, 218 pound forward was an undrafted free agent trying out for the Detroit Red Wings in Traverse City, Michigan. Ward participated in both the … Continue Reading

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A fax ticket sale will begin as of noon on Monday July 11th for all remaining tickets for the 2011 Detroit Red Wings training camp. To purchase your tickets, please click here for the order form and fax it to (231)-933-3037.

Ticket availabilty for September 17, 18, and 20 is limited to standing room only. All ticket levels are available for September 19. The aditional practices scheduled for September 21 and 22 are available for general adminission price of $10.  For more on ticket pricing and other camp details click … Continue Reading