2013 CHL Top Prospects Game: Mantha climbing ranks with his sniper’s touch Photo: Val d'or Foreurs forward Anthony Mantha has been an effective offensive performer for his team this season (courtesy of Dave Connell/HF) Ignoring everything else, from his age to his size and his family history, Anthony Mantha quite simply scores goals. With 33 markers in just 43 games so far this year, the Val d'Or Foreurs forward has already sniped a hat trick on three separate occasions and added in a four-goal game for good measure. 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game: Sporting bloodlines flow through number of prospects Photo: Windsor Spitfires forward Kerby Rychel is one of several players competing at the 2013 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game with family ties to professional sports (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images) Cassels. Domi. Mantha. Rychel. They are names that many hockey fans are familiar with, the names of former NHL players. But those names also represent a new wave of talent, still on the way to hopefully making an impact in the pro ranks. 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game: Familiarity doesn’t breed contempt Photo: Kingston Frontenacs forward Ryan Kujawinski will be facing and teaming up with some familiar faces at the 2013 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Halifax (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images) Despite the fact that it is considered one of the "Big Four" major leagues in North America, hockey remains a small sport in many different ways. That size brings a sense of community, where everybody knows one another. 2013 WJC Review: Canada fails to take medal for first time in 15 years Photo: Although his contributions didn't come on the scoresheet, Team Canada defenseman Scott Harrington was a steady, reliable performer at the 2013 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF) The expectation for Canada is always the same: nothing short of a gold medal. But in recent history, the results have fallen short. After a pair of silver medals and a bronze over the last three World Juniors, Canada was once again tasked with bringing home the gold at the 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. MacKinnon, Drouin head good crop of QMJHL prospects for NHL Draft Photo: Quebec Remparts forward Nick Sorensen just returned to his QMJHL club after competing for silver medalist Sweden at the 2013 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images) The plight of a junior hockey franchise is normally cyclic, with a core group of players starting out, maturing together and competing before eventually graduating from the league. |
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