Recent draftees push for NHL gigs

Aaron Vickers2016 Draft CenterLeave a Comment

The 2010 NHL Entry Draft graduated five players to the NHL the following season. In 2009, six players made the jump directly to the show. 2008, like 2010, saw five. The question remains how many skaters make the immediate jump from the 2011 draft class.

Soberg bucks Broncos

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

There will be no Swift Current reunion for Steffen Soberg. The sixth overall pick in the CHL Import Draft will not be returning to the Broncos after leaving North America to return home.

Johansen poised for Blue Jackets job

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

The Portland Winterhawks had to cancel an exhibition game due to a lack of personnel this preseason. The team was forced to cancel a September 16th game against the Seattle Thunderbirds after injuries struck the club which had seen 15 players sent to NHL camps.

Rask no lock for North America

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

He’s been in camp in Calgary with the WHL’s Hitmen. He’s skated in Traverse City alongside his fellow Carolina Hurricanes prospects. But there is still no guarantee Swedish import Victor Rask will play hockey in North America for the upcoming season.

Soberg’s future uncertain

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

Import goaltender Steffen Soberg has headed home. The sixth overall pick in the 2011 CHL Import Draft, Soberg was expected to tend the twine of the Swift Current Broncos for the upcoming season.

MacKinnon impressive in Q debut

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

It didn’t take long for Nathan MacKinnon to make an impact on the QMJHL. In his first period of official action, the 16-year-old recorded an assist on teammate Luca Ciampini’s powerplay goal midway through the opening frame.

Grimaldi VDub bound

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

In the dog days of August, any hockey news is interesting news, but when Florida Panthers prospect Rocco Grimaldi fired up Twitter Sunday, many Western Hockey League fans took immediate notice.

Blueliners excited about defense draft depth

Aaron Vickers2013 Draft CenterLeave a Comment

From Aaron Vickers: According to the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the year of the dragon. But when it’s all said and done, it could become the year of the defenseman. The 2012 NHL Entry Draft appears, at least at this stage, to be huge on the back end. Though there are an impressive 14 defensemen ranked in the first round … Read More

Reinhart a draft veteran

Aaron Vickers2013 Draft CenterLeave a Comment

You’ll have to forgive Griffin Reinhart if the NHL Entry Draft seems routine to him. He’s already lived it twice. At the age of 16, the North Vancouver, BC. native watched his older brother Max be selected 64th overall by the Calgary Flames at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles. This year in Minnesota, Reinhart witnessed four Edmonton … Read More

MacKinnon a Moosehead

Aaron VickersUncategorizedLeave a Comment

Nathan MacKinnon is now a Moosehead. The Cole Harbour, NS. native was dealt to Halifax by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in exchange for players Carl Gélinas and Francis Turbide as well as Halifax’s 2012 and 2013 first round picks.

Will the next NHL Superstar stand up?

Aaron Vickers2013 Draft CenterLeave a Comment

Every year it seems like we hear about the next great hockey talent tearing it up in a rink somewhere around the world. Like clockwork, people start the hype machine rolling on some 13-year-old kid from B.C. or a 14-year-old mastering his craft in Michigan.

Oleksiak rumoured to represent Canada

Aaron VickersTournaments & EventsLeave a Comment

Jamie Oleksiak is heading north. According to Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News, the Dallas Stars first rounder with dual citizenship will be trying out for Canada’s entry at the 2012 World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton. The Toronto, ON. native was named to Team USA’s summer camp, but was noticeably absent on Canada’s list of invitees. Oleksiak, whose … Read More