HEADLINE

TOP PROSPECTS SELECTED ATOP THE NHL DRAFT

Friday, December 4, 2009

The CJHL Prospects Game features the top 40 NHL draft eligible players in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. So far, the alumni of the game have proven themselves as true Top Prospects.

Four alumni of the CJHL Prospects Game have been selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. All four players participated as members of Team Canada West as representatives of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).

In the 2006-2007 season, Kyle Turris attracted NHL scouts in record numbers to see the most highly touted Junior A draft eligible prospect in recent history. Kyle Turris of the BCHL (Burnaby Express) was selected 3rd overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Turris has played over 65 games in a Coyotes uniform and currently plays for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League. Turris participated in the 2006 CJHL Prospects Game and was the 2006-2007 RBC Financial Group Canadian Junior A Player of the Year.

Riley Nash was selected by the Edmonton Oilers 21st overall in the 2007 NHL Draft. Nash competed in the 2006 CJHL Prospects Game and joined Cornell University after finishing his junior career with Salmon Arm of the BCHL. In his Freshman season, Nash won the 2008 ECAC Rookie of the Year Award.

"This game has been great for Junior A players to gain exposure," said Camrose Kodiaks Forward Joe Colborne at the 2007 CJHL Prospects Game. "Guys like Kyle Turris and Riley Nash have really opened the doors for guys like me this year so hopefully I can keep the tradition going."

Indeed he did. In 2008, Joe Colborne (AJHL) was drafted 16th overall by the Boston Bruins. Colborne participated in the 2007 CJHL Prospects Game and was the recipient of the 2007- 2008 Canadian Junior A Player of the Year Award. Colborne is currently in his sophomore season at Denver University.

For the second straight year, a Camrose Kodiak was taken in the first round, as Dylan Olsen followed in the steps of former teammate Joe Colborne. Dylan Olsen (AJHL) was selected at #28 in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Olsen was selected to participate in the 2008 CJHL Prospects Game and is in his Freshman season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Alumni of the CJHL Prospects Game continue to succeed with careers in the NHL, North American Colleges and Universities, and a variety of professional Leagues. Several stars in the NHL have played in the Canadian Junior Hockey League including 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Steve Yzerman, Paul Kariya, Brett Hull and Mark Messier.

From December 7th - 9th, 2009 the community of Winkler and the province of Manitoba will host the Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game. The CJHL Prospects Game will feature the top 40 junior A players from the CJHL\'s five western Canadian leagues compete again the Eastern leagues. They will play a two game series which will be well attended by local area hockey fans and scouts from the NHL and Canadian and American colleges and universities.