2013 Prospects Face Off
(Photo: Melissa Kania)
Forty of the top American-born hockey prospects came together last weekend for the first inaugural CCM All-American Prospects Game, held in conjunction with USA Hockey and hosted by the Buffalo Sabres.
The players are all eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held on June 28 and 29 at the Prudential Center in Newark, new Jersey.
Teams were split randomly into two groups: Team Blue, coached by former NHLer and U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Housley, and Team White, coached by Rob McClanahan, another former NHLer who also played for Team USA during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The game would end with Team McClanahan taking a commanding 5-2 win, but it was a good show for all the players and provided a good look at some of the top players heading into next year’s draft. Future OHLers, AHLers and NHLers, most of the players had never played together prior to the day of the game, coming from all over the country.
Evan Allen had both of Team Housley’s goals. Tyler Kelleher, Steve Santini and Frank Vatrano added the assists.
Meanwhile, ten different players had at least a point for Team McClanahan in the win. Goals came from Dakota Mermis, Seth Jones, Hudson Fasching, Jacob Montgomery and Quentin Shore. The player of the game, however, was awarded to skater Ryan Fitzgerald, who had three assists.
Goaltending duties were split for both teams. Cal Peterson played 40 minutes for Team McClanahan, earning the win and allowing just two goals on 13 shots. Evan Cowley stopped all 11 shots faced during his 20 minutes of play for the team.
Eamon McAdam was awarded the loss for Team Housley, stopped 19 of 24 shots faced in 40 minutes of ice time. Hunter Miska faced just four shots in the 20 minutes of ice time he saw.
Overall, it was certainly an interesting game, and a good way to allow fans, coaches and scouts alike to get a glimpse at some of the future stars of the big leagues. Seth Jones (of Team McClanahan) is said to be a possibility to be selected first overall in next year’s draft. The defenseman plays for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.