NHL training camps don’t officially kick off until next Friday at the earliest, but with some, perhaps most teams kicking off rookie camps on Monday, the smell of hockey is definitely in the air.
Hello, Hockey: Three Prospect Tournaments Kick Off NHL Preseason
If you’re lucky, you’re a fan of one of the 16 teams participating in one of this weekend’s three rookie tournaments, hockey starts a little bit early for you.
Here’s a break down of those three tournaments, some of which have already begun on this Saturday.
Traverse City Prospects Tournament - Traverse City, Michigan
Format: Canes Country had a great post on the tournament on Friday. “The format of the tournament divides the eight teams into two groups of four, within which they will play a round-robin series, giving each team three preliminary games. After the round-robin portion, the top team in each division will play Wednesday for the first place trophy. The two second place teams will play for 3rd and 4th place, and so on. Last year the Canes won their division and beat the Wild’s prospects in the finals.”
Schedule (from Red Wings Central)
September 11
3 PM - Minnesota vs Carolina
3:30 PM - Columbus vs NY Rangers
6:30 PM - St. Louis vs Tampa Bay
7 PM - Detroit vs Dallas
September 12
2 PM - Minnesota vs Columbus
2:30 PM - Dallas vs St. Louis
5:30 m - Carolina vs NY Rangers
6 PM - Detroit vs Tampa Bay
September 14
3 PM - Tampa Bay vs Dallas
3:30 PM - NY Rangers vs Minnesota
6:30 PM - Columbus vs Carolina
7 PM - St. Louis vs Detroit
September 15
2 PM - Seventh place game
2:30 PM - Fifth place game
5:30 PM - Bronze medal game
6 PM - Gold medal game
Coverage
- As mentioned, Canes Country has a great post on the tournament from the Carolina perspective.
- The Columbus Dispatch covers things from a Blue Jackets point of view.
- George Malik of mlive.com should be in Traverse City covering the Wings.
- The Dallas Morning News covers the Stars.
Young Stars Tournament - Penticton, British Columbia
Teams: Vancouver Canucks (host), Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks
Format: Eight games total. Vancouver plays four, every other team play three.
Schedule (from the Vancouver Sun)
- Fans at Nucks Misconduct have things covered.
- TEAM Radio has the games.
London, Ontario Prospects Tournament
Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (host), Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators
Format: Round robin.
Schedule (from the Leafs)
Sat. Sept. 11
2:00 PM Game #1 – Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa
7:00 PM Game #2 – Chicago vs. Toronto
Sun. Sept. 12
2:00 PM Game #3 – Ottawa vs. Chicago
7:00 PM Game #4 – Toronto vs. Pittsburgh
Tues. Sept. 14
2:00 PM Game #5 – Chicago vs. Pittsburgh
7:00 PM Game #6 – Toronto vs. Ottawa
Coverage
- Pension Plan Puppets has just about every Leafs-based angle covered. They should have game day threads up for each Leafs game, as well.
- James Mirtle of The Globe & Mail is at the tournament. Follow his blog, The Leafs Beat.
- Silver Seven will have game threads up this weekend as well.
- Rogers TV will broadcast games in Ontario. Check your local listings.
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