2013 Memorial Cup Preview: Impressive collection of talent competing for CHL’s top prize

by Jason Menard
on

Ty Rattie - Portland Winterhawks

Photo: Portland Winterhawks forward and St. Louis Blues prospect Ty Rattie has continued his scoring exploits in the 2012-13 post-season, helping the Winterhawks make the Memorial Cup Tournament after near misses the past two years (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

The puck drops for the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup starting Friday evening at 6 PM CST. The host city’s Saskatoon Blades take on the Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights to kick off a tournament that features the CHL’s three top-ranked clubs (and the unranked hosts). In addition, several highly-ranked 2013 prospects plus many well-regarded NHL prospects will be taking part in this tournament.

Read more»

Calgary Flames prospects played large part in WHL playoffs, Frozen Four

by David Thicke
on

Ken Agostino - Yale Bulldogs

Photo: Yale winger Ken Agostino hoists the trophy after helping the Bulldogs to the first National Championship in school history (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

The Calgary Flames prospects at the NHL level were unable to gain any post-season playing experience and the Abbotsford Heat failed to qualify for the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. At the lower levels this spring, only the CHL prospects were experiencing playoff hockey as the European and NCAA prospects had already finished up their seasons.

Read more»

2013 ISS Draft Rankings: U18 tournament brings few changes to the top 30

by ISS
on

Nathan MacKinnon - Halifax Moosheads

Photo: Center Nathan MacKinnon and his Halifax Mooseheads teammates are on their way to the 2013 Memorial Cup Tournament after winning the QMJHL title (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

The 2013 U18 World Junior Championship has come and gone, but it had little effect on the upper ranks of ISS Hockey's May ranking of the 2013 NHL Draft prospects.

Read more»

Montreal Canadiens prospects making do with limited playoff action

by David Thicke
on

Brady Vail - Montreal Canadiens

Photo: Brady Vail and the Windsor Spitfires failed to make the playoffs in 2012-13. Vail posted 55 points in 68 regular games with Windsor. (Terry Wilson / OHL Images.)

The Montreal Canadiens prospects at the lower professional levels were unable to gain any post-season playing experience as the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) failed to qualify for their respective playoffs.

Read more»

Los Angeles Kings prospect pool seeing a wealth of playoff action across North America

by Jason Lewis
on

Martin Jones - Manchester Monarchs

Photo: Martin Jones won his last six starts of the regular season to clinch a playoff berth for the Monarchs, but not even his strong play could help the team overcome the Springfield Falcons in the first round of the AHL playoffs (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

The prospect pool of the Los Angeles Kings saw varying amounts of playoff game time this year, but one of the more important points is that the majority of them did in fact see the postseason. Over twenty-five skaters for the Kings saw playoff action across multiple levels.

Read more»