Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

Made the Team                                                          

Dan Hamhuis, D                                               

Jordin Tootoo, RW                    

Vernon Fiddler, C

Last Cut

Andrew Hutchinson, D

Scottie Upshall, RW

On Waivers

Jan Lasak, G

Nashville prospects Dan Hamhuis, Jordin Tootoo and Vernon Fiddler will all be on the ice when the Predators open the 2003-2004 NHL season at home against the defending Western Conference Champion Anaheim Mighty Ducks. 

Hamhuis, 20, is a former first round pick in the 2001 NHL draft.  The 6’0”, 200-pound defenseman played his first professional season last year with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals racking up six goals, 21 assists and 81penalty minutes in 68 games. 

The 2002 CHL defenseman of the year is noted for his smooth skating ability and his

ability on both offense and defense.  Hamhuis is considered a future quarterback on the power play, but is also a physical presence on the ice. 

Hamhuis may see his time split this season between Nashville and Milwaukee.  The Predators will take the necessary steps to make sure that arguably its top prospect is nurtured and brought along slowly so he can continue his development and be an impact player in the future.

Tootoo, also 20, will make the jump to the NHL after playing four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL.  The 5’9”, 193-pounder played his most productive season last year scoring 35 goals and 39 assists in 51 games.

The 2001 fourth round pick was the first player of Inuit descent to be drafted by an NHL team and on Thursday, Tootoo will become the first Inuit to play in the NHL.

Tootoo came into training camp highly touted and didn’t disappoint displaying an uncanny amount of grit, speed and energy that no doubt was injected throughout the team during the preseason.

The combination of unlimited toughness, mouth-dropping body checks and offensive potential that Tootoo possesses adds an element to the team that has never been seen in the Music City.  

Expected to center the fourth line for the Predators is Vernon Fiddler.  Fiddler, 23, unexpectedly escaped training camp/pre-season cuts and earned a spot on the roster.  The 5’11”, 195-pound center was signed as an undrafted free agent in May 2002. 

Fiddler played 54 games in Milwaukee last season scoring eight goals and 16 assists.  He also played in 19 games with the Predators netting four goals.  This season will be the first that Fiddler has been given the opportunity to stick with a team in the NHL.

If Fiddler falters, several prospects will be waiting to fill in, including 2002 first round pick, Scottie Upshall.  The 20-year-old winger didn’t perform like last year in training camp when the Predators were forced to keep him for the maximum eight games before returning him to his junior team – the Kamloops of the WHL. 

Similar to Hamhuis, the Predators want to take their time with first round picks and make sure they are fully ready – physically and mentally – for the rigors of the NHL.  Upshall likely needs more seasoning, having only played two games in the AHL.

Expect Upshall to be back with Nashville at some point this season and the hard-working Fort McMurray native will soon enough become the contributing player Nashville drafted him to be.

Another player who made wasn’t cut until the end of camp was defenseman Andrew Hutchinson.  The 6’3”, 198-pounder will begin his second full season with the Milwaukee Admirals. 

Last season, the 23-year-old posted nine goals and 17 assists in 63 games with the Admirals.  Hutchinson may also be in the defensive mix for the Predators later in the season.