Wednesday, December 7, 2011

USHL Announces NHL Showcase

The USHL just issued a press release about an NHL Showcase. This showcase will feature 40 of the top players in the USHL that are draft eligible this year. This sounds like it will have a feel like an all-star game, in which the USHL did not have last season. The showcase will be held at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon. I am not sure if NTDP players will take part in this event, or if it is just strictly USHL players from every other team. I am hoping it is every team taking part minus the NTDP, simply because it might be a chance for some lesser known prospects to make their case to NHL scouts/teams to draft them.

The process for selecting players for the event has begun, overseen by the Commissioner’s Office and conducted in cooperation with the 16 USHL General Managers, NHL Central Scouting, and NHL scouts and decision makers. Top prospects tentatively scheduled to compete include Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Zemgus Girgensons, Green Bay Gamblers defenseman Jordan Schmaltz, defenseman Brian Cooper of the Fargo Force, and goaltender Jon Gillies of the Indiana Ice. A full roster of players will be announced at a later date.

“Our organization is thrilled to be hosting this event,” said Josh Mervis, Owner and CEO of the Jacks. “Muskegon is the perfect site for the inaugural Top Prospects Game, because there’s not a more sophisticated hockey fan base in the USHL than here.”



Here are a few names, aside from the four mentioned in the article, that will probably expect to take part in this inaugural game.

Michael Matheson - Dubuque Fighting Saints
Matthew DeBlouw - Muskegon Lumberjacks
Robbie Baillargeon - Indiana Ice
A.J. Michaelson - Waterloo Black Hawks
Zach Aston-Reese - Lincoln Stars
Austyn Young - Sioux Falls Stampede
Vince Hinostroza - Waterloo Black Hawks
Kevin Roy - Lincoln Stars
Dakota Mermis - Green Bay Gamblers
Cliff Watson - Sioux City Musketeers
Alex Lyon - Omaha Lancers
Stephon Williams - Sioux Falls Stampede
Matt Morris - Dubuque Fighting Saints


Would anyone like to share their thoughts on who else should be playing in this game?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

IF the USA kids are playing you could probably add 12-15 of them on the list.

Ryan said...

it sounds like they are going to participate.