Courtesy of OHL Website
Edmonton, AB – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the roster of 40 players that will compete in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on January 22 and 23.
“We are very proud to announce the outstanding lineup of players that will compete in this year's edition of the Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game,” said CHL President David Branch. “This event has become one of the most anticipated on the hockey calendar every January and we are very thankful for our partnership with the National Hockey League and Home Hardware that help make this game possible. The Canadian Hockey League is very excited to be back in Edmonton with the return of the Oil Kings and we look forward to hosting this special event there.”
The 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is the annual showcase of the top draft eligible players from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and features the next wave of future NHL stars from across the Canadian Hockey League. The two-day event will feature the annual Top Prospects game, as well as a thrilling skills competition where players can show-off their individual abilities for fans and scouts alike.
The rosters are selected by the 30 NHL general managers as well as the NHL's Central Scouting department.
"The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a major event where scouts can see all the premier draft-eligible players in Major Junior hockey compete head-to-head,” said NHL Central Scouting Director, E.J. McGuire. “This year again promises an opportunity for players to showcase their talent to all NHL scouts with the ultimate goal of making the jump into the NHL, as Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers did last year at the Top Prospects Game.”
Home Hardware, a title sponsor since 2000, continues as the title partner of the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this year.
"We are looking forward to the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game being hosted in the City of Champions," said Bruce Shuh, Director of Marketing for Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Our Independent Dealers support local hockey teams and events in more than 1,000 communities across Canada and as a National Dealer Network, we are proud to be involved with major sporting events such as the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. The game has a storied tradition of helping hundreds of young men achieve their goal of playing in the NHL and we are proud to be associated with such a positive experience."
The long list of NHL stars that have participated in the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game for the “Bobby Orr/Don Cherry” Trophy include Edmonton Oilers' rookie Sam Gagner as well as Patrick Kane, Dion Phaneuf, Roberto Luongo, Joe Thornton and Marc-Andre Fleury. Other notable Oilers include Marc Antoine Pouliot, and J.F Jacques, who also played in the game.
2008 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game - Rosters
Team Red
Forwards
A.J. Jenks, Plymouth Whalers
Philippe Cornet, Rimouski Oceanic
James Wright, Vancouver Giants
Geordie Wudrick, Swift Current Broncos
Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting
Patrice Cornier, Rimouski Oceanic
Kelsey Tessier, Quebec Remparts
Phil McRae, London Knights
Mikkel Boedker, Kitchener Rangers
Mikhail Stefanovich, Quebec Remparts
Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats
James Livingston, S.S. Marie Greyhounds
Defencemen
Drew Doughty, Guelph Storm
Alex Pietrangelo, Niagara IceDogs
Colten Teubert, Regina Pats
Michael Del Zotto, Oshawa Generals
Luca Sbisa, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Jyri Niemi, Saskatoon Blades
Goaltenders
Chet Pickard, Tri City Americans
Kevin Poulin, Victoriaville Tigres
Team White
Forwards
Kyle Beach, Everett Silvertips
Josh Bailey, Windsor Spitfires
Chris Doyle, PEI Rocket
Joel Champagne, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
Cody Hodgson, Brampton Battalion
Jamie Arniel, Sarnia Sting
Maxime Sauve, Val-d'Or Foreurs
Mitch Wahl, Spokane Chiefs
Zack Boychuk, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Tyler Ennis, Medicine Hat Tigers
Jared Staal, Sudbury Wolves
Greg Nemisz, Windsor Spitfires
Defencemen
Colby Robak, Brandon Wheat Kings
Tyler Cuma, Ottawa 67's
Yann Sauve, Saint John Sea Dogs
Zach Bogosian, Peterborough Petes
Tyler Myers, Kelowna Rockets
Luke Schenn, Kelowna Rockets
Goaltenders
Peter Delmas, Lewiston MAINEiacs
Thomas McCollum, Guelph Storm
